7th-8th century
A red tapestry band features dancers and plant motifs. The red squares outlined in white contain four multicolored dancers with raised arms woven in yellow, pink, and blue wefts. Each dancer has three legs—perhaps they are centaurs. Between each pair of dancers is a small white plant. Teal rectangular fields contain red medallions with a single human dancer. Outside the medallion are plant motifs formed out of simple lines, dots, and heart-shaped leaves. A dark blue wave scroll border outlined in white runs down both sides of the band. Undyed fabric survives on both sides of the band and probably made up the ground of this textile.
19.1 x 66 cm (7 1/2 x 26 in.)
Fiber
JapaneseWool and linen
4th-5th century CEByzantineWool and silk
16th centuryFlemishGauze damask with metallic buttons
19th-20th centuryChineseSilk brocade: rust red silk ground of dyed yarns in tabby weave, the ground interwoven in brocade weave with flat strips of double-layered paper faced with gold leaf
15th centuryChineseCotton embroidered with silk and metal thread
19th centuryOttomanSilk
17th centuryItalian?Fiber
JapaneseSilk
19th centuryJapaneseSilk damask
17th centuryItalian?Textile fibers
18th centuryFlemish