Textile ArtsByzantine6th century

Textile Band with Nereids and Animals

6th century

Description

A monochrome tapestry woven band decorated with three medallions containing animal and plant forms. Two human figures appear between each circle. These figures appear to be nereids riding on the scaled backs of sea monsters. Behind the head of the left nereid in each pair is a basket of fruit or flowers. The design of the nereids is executed more clearly and with greater legibility towards the right side of the band. The leftmost medallion contains a tree and four birds; the orientation of this medallion differs from that of the other two. The center medallion represents a feline standing at the base of a tree. The rightmost medallion contains two animals facing opposite directions and has the form of a stylized wreath. The three medallions represent vines, with tendrils extending outward at four places on each circle. This is particularly evident in the rightmost medallion, where the scrolling light-colored vine that creates the circle is most clearly articulated. Reddish warps. This textile fragment might possibly represent the clavus of a tunic. There is an area of plain weave below the tapestry band. An area of weft faced tabby weave with dark blue wefts is above the tapestry band.

Classification

Textile Arts

Technique

Woven, tapestry weave

Medium

Wool, tapestry woven

Culture

Byzantine

Period

Byzantine period

Century

6th century