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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1931.35.2
Title
Band with Foliage Design
Classification
Textile Arts
Work Type
textile
Date
3rd-6th century
Places
Creation Place: Africa, Egypt
Period
Byzantine period
Culture
Byzantine
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/214580

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Wool, tapestry woven
Technique
Woven, tapestry weave
Dimensions
14.61 x 6.35 cm (5 3/4 x 2 1/2 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Charles Bain Hoyt
Accession Year
1931
Object Number
1931.35.2
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
A narrow, dark blue tapestry woven band with a design of simple, geometric foliage in green, yellow, pink, orange, and red wool wefts. This band has double borders of undyed wool and red wool. Segments of weft-faced weave with undyed wefts run on either side of the colored band. Undyed warps run perpendicular to the length of the band.

This band comes from the same textile as the longer 1931.35.3, and the pair possibly either represent portions of the same band that have been separated or represent the clavi bands of a tunic. Both bands are characterized by a repeating foliage pattern of three potted plants. The first plant: a yellow-footed green and red urn sprouts a pair of triangular yellow leaves and three stems with red and white circular flowers. The next plant is a golden vine on a pink triangular base. Between the gold tendrils floats a green dot, and above this is a red bud seen from the side. The third plant in the pattern has a red sector shape with buff outline hovering above a pair of green leaves, which in turn sits upon a pair of yellow tendrils. The tendrils emerges from an orange triangular base.

The interlock tapestry technique is used in some areas to avoid a long vertical slit between warps. This is particularly evident on the plant bases.
Commentary
See also 1931.35.3, another fragment of the same band

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu