Clavi (tunic bands): Leaves and Palmettes
6th century
Description
These three bands with identical patterns and proportions were likely cut from the same garment, though the fourth band is missing. Remnants of undyed linen visible along their outer edges reveal they were once part of a tunic with a plain linen ground. Their faded red borders feature a tendril design, while the central strip presents dark green palmettes. The alternating leaves and palmettes that make up the main decoration on these bands contain within themselves smaller leaves and buds woven in several colors. The pendant of one band remains intact and contains a palmette. The flying shuttle technique, in which an extra weft is carried on a supplementary shuttle, outlines some of the small leaves in a light colored thread and creates serrations on the edges of the dark green palmettes.
Dimensions
22.2 x 5.1 cm (8 3/4 x 2 in.) 47.6 x 5.1 cm (18 3/4 x 2 in.) 41 x 5.1 cm (16 1/8 x 2 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreSilk
Japanese
Handwoven maguey fiber
20th centuryAmericanWool, tapestry woven
ByzantineWool, tapestry woven
7th centuryByzantineWool and linen
6th-7th centuryCopticFiber
SpanishSatin-stitch embroidery using multicolored silk flosses on a black silk satin ground
19th centuryKoreanSilk embroidery
19th centuryChinesePale silk gauze with navy blue cuffs and red ties
20th centuryKoreanDark blue gauze with embroidered decoration
19th centuryChineseWool, tapestry woven
8th centuryCoptic