Tapestry Fragment
8th-9th century
This heavily cut and damaged fragment depicts two abstracted two-dimensional figures standing among stylized columns, atop what appears to be an architrave. Each figure’s hands and arms are pointed in opposite directions, and each appear to be holding some sort of floral or vegetal object.
Architectural motifs are common in Greco-Roman and Coptic art from this period. Compare these stylized features to the more true-to-life columnar arcades found on BZ.1953.2.89 and BZ.1970.43 in the Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Collection.
Artwork Details
Title:
Tapestry Fragment
Date:
8th-9th century
Geography:
Egypt
Classification:
Textile
Materials:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
15.25 x 17.75 cm (6 x 7 in)
Repository:
McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Accession Number:
McMullen 2018.14
Tellalian Number:
Tellalian 1984-00275
Donor:
Barbara and Donald Tellalian
Provenance:
Purchased from Harmer Rooke Galleries, New York, NY on 13 March 1984. Prior provenance unknown.
Exhibition History:
No known exhibition history
Publication History:
No known publication history
Conservation History:
Unknown month, 1984: Donald Tellalian -- vacuum, wet wash with igepal and distilled water, thorough rinsing with distilled water, drying on glass.