Author
Unknown
Publication Date
500
Publication Place
Egypt (made) Istanbul (made) -
Subject
Textiles Africa Archaeology Death
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 298mm, Width: 104mm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
2185-1900
Record ID
2185-1900
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
500
Notes
A fragment of samite medallion in purple and cream. Egypt or Byzantine ca, AD500-700. A thick border (26mm wide; floral icons, guilloche) encircles a mounted huntsman with a bow, who is attacking a tiger (which appears to have an arrow in its side) at the horses feet. The warrior wears a cloak and the horse has a decorative harness. Above the main roundel is another showing the tiger. A floral icon lies between these. The piece is freyed and worn. Battles between men and animals symbolised the struggle between good and evil in human nature. Similar to 2185A-1900, 2185B-1900, 2186-1900, 817-1903 and 292-1889. Samite (twill woven silk) was thought to originate from Persia under Sassanian rule (AD224-651). It was commonly decorated with pairs of animals and birds and set in pearled lotus roundels. It is often found in Western burials, within church possessions and along the Silk Road. Byzantine weaving workshops took on the samite technique to make it an essential weave of the period. It was a luxury textile of the Middle Ages brought to Europe when the Crusades opened up direct contact with the East. It was forbidden to the middle classes of France under the sumptuary rules c. 1470.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Woven silk Silk (Textile) Weaving
Fiziksel açıklama
A fragment of samite medallion in purple and cream. Egypt or Byzantine, ca. AD500-700. A thick border (26mm wide; floral icons, guilloche) encircles a mounted huntsman with a bow, who is attacking a tiger (which appears to have an arrow in its side) at the horses feet. The warrior wears a cloak and the horse has a decorative harness. Above the main roundel is another showing the tiger. A floral icon lies between these. The piece is freyed and worn. Battles between men and animals symbolised the struggle between good and evil in human nature. Similar to 2185A-1900, 2185B-1900, 2186-1900, 817-1903 and 292-1889.
Üslup
Late Antique
