Tapestry Band with Stylized Birds
7th century
This tapestry fragment was once attached to McMullen 2018.9, before being separated in 1981. Matching, un-mirrored pairs of stylized birds, rosettes, and vegetal foliage dominate the composition’s central horizontal axis. The polychromatic color scheme of the decorative wool is particularly stunning when contrasted with the natural, undyed linen into which it was sewn.
This fragment was probably once part of a tunic’s decoration, perhaps serving as a sleeve band decoration akin to McMullen 2018.19.1 and McMullen 2018.19.2.
Artwork Details
Title:
Tapestry Band with Stylized Birds
Date:
7th century
Geography:
Egypt
Classification:
Textile
Materials:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
24 x 26.5 cm (9.5 x 10.5 in)
Repository:
McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Accession Number:
McMullen 2018.8
Tellalian Number:
Tellalian 1980-00250
Donor:
Barbara and Donald Tellalian
Provenance:
Purchased from Charles Dikran Kelekian, Ancient Arts, New York, NY on 9 December 1980. Provenance unknown prior to Kelekian family.
Exhibition History:
McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College. Roman in the Provinces: Art on the Periphery of Empire, 14 February - 31 May 2015. https://www.bc.edu/sites/artmuseum/exhibitions/rip/
Publication History:
Nicgorski, Ann M. “The Fate of Serapis: A Paradigm for Transformations in the Culture and Art of Late Roman Egypt.” In Roman in the Provinces: Art on the Periphery of Empire, edited by Lisa R. Brody and Gail L. Hoffman, 153–66, plate 148. Boston College: McMullen Museum of Art, distributed by the University of Chicago Press, 2014.
Conservation History:
Unknown month, 1981: Margaret A. Leveque, M.A.C., Brighton, MA.