Polychrome Roundel with Dove
5th-6th century
This roundel portrays a multicolored dove walking to the right, surrounded by an asymmetrical serrated border. The dove carries particular meaning in the Christian tradition, especially as a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16 reports that at Jesus’s baptism, the “heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him” (NRSV). Still, dove symbolism is not limited to Christianity, and references to doves may also be found in Jewish, Muslim, pagan, and other non-religious sources. The green, red, and yellow color scheme, alongside the bird imagery, are classic characteristics of Egyptian textiles from this period. Compare to BZ.1973.13
in the Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Collection. See also the birds depicted on McMullen 2018.3 in this collection.
Artwork Details
Title:
Polychrome Roundel with Dove
Date:
5th-6th century
Geography:
Egypt
Classification:
Textile
Materials:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
23 x 27.5 cm (9 x 10.75 in)
Repository:
McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Accession Number:
McMullen 2018.22
Tellalian Number:
Tellalian 1984-00440
Donor:
Barbara and Donald Tellalian
Provenance:
Purchased at auction, Sotheby's, New York, NY on 8 June 1984. Antiquities and Islamic Works of Art, Lot #94.
Exhibition History:
No known exhibition history
Publication History:
No known publication history
Conservation History:
No known conservation history