Harvard Art Museums > 1985.112: Square with Sea Monsters Textile Arts Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Square with Sea Monsters , 1985.112,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 19, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/99828. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1985.112 Title Square with Sea Monsters Classification Textile Arts Work Type textile Places Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient) Period Byzantine period Culture Egyptian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/99828 Physical Descriptions Medium Tapestry, linen and wool Technique Woven, tapestry weave Dimensions 27.9 x 29.2 cm (11 x 11 1/2 in.) Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Nanette B. Rodney Accession Year 1985 Object Number 1985.112 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description This large tapestry square contains four roundels, each with an identical hybrid animal inside. These creatures appear to be half lion and half fish, or possibly hippocamps. Between the medallions are areas of decorative hatching composed of light and dark fibers. The tails and small fins on these creatures' tails are executed in yarn of a faded red color. Red bands also divide the front halves of the creatures from their fish tails and may indicate harnesses. Circles of this faded red color also appear in each area of hatching. Several small plant forms appear around the animals' legs and dark dots over their backs and heads. Commentary The harnesses around the chests of these hybrid animals suggest that they are hippocampi (sea horses), mythological creatures common in Greek art from ancient times. Hippocampi continue to be featured on textiles and other media in the Byzantine era. The square shape and size suggests that this fragment may have once been part of a cushion cover. Similarities to Met 2015.796.4 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
