Cuff Band: Stylized Animals
4th-5th century CE
Description
This is a tapestry woven fragment, with the design of two parallel bands executed in dark blue wool. The visible warps are yellow in color. The bands each contain eleven circles of a regularized, twisting vine inhabited by a sequence of alternating animals. Perhaps they are lions or hares. Every other animal wears a ribbon around its neck. Areas of solid blue end and begin each band, pointing to its function as a cuff band. The borders of the two bands are created out of thick zigzagging vines. The outer empty spaces along these vines sprout acanthus or grape leaves. The inner sides of the vine borders are filled by diamond shapes. The designs running along these two thick vines are created in a slightly darker and yellower thread than the other areas of undyed yarn. Details of the animals and the outer vine borders are executed in flying shuttle using undyed thread.
Dimensions
12.7 x 33.22 cm (5 x 13 1/16 in.)
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