Url https://dhprojects.bc.edu/s/TellalianTextiles/item/2012 Title Looped-Weft Fragment of Bird Description This relatively large fragment depicts a crudely stylized bird with a powerful, all-seeing red eye. The looped-weft weaving pattern is particularly noticeable on the bird’s body, and it is possible this fragment was part of a larger decorative tapestry such as a tablecloth or curtain. One might alternatively categorize this creature as a camel, but a definitive identification remains elusive.

Contrast this bird with the more zoologically accurate dove on McMullen 2018.22, as well as the various bird textile fragments sold at Bonhams in London on 1 April 2014 (Lot 220).

Notably, this fragment was once owned by the legendary actor Zero Mostel, who was known to collect Coptic art. Date 6th-7th century Type Textile Spatial Coverage Egypt Temporal Coverage 6th-7th century Provenance Purchased at auction, Sotheby's, New York, NY on 24 November 1986. Antiquities and Islamic Works of Art, Lot #192. Previously owned by the estate of Zero Mostel. Repository McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Materials Linen and wool Dimension (in) 11.25 x 10 in Dimension (cm) 28.5 x 25.5 cm Accession Number McMullen 2018.24 Tellalian Number Tellalian 1986-00300D Donor Barbara and Donald Tellalian Exhibition History No known exhibition history Publication History No known publication history Conservation History No known conservation history Rights https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/ Public Domain --