1931.44: Clavi (tunic bands): Leaves and Palmettes

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1931.44

Title

Clavi (tunic bands): Leaves and Palmettes

Classification

Textile Arts

Work Type

textile

Date

6th century

Places

Creation Place: Africa, Egypt

Period

Byzantine period, Early

Culture

Egyptian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/215295

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Wool and linen, tapestry weave

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.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Charles Bain Hoyt

Accession Year

1931

Object Number

1931.44

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.

Descriptions

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.

Exhibition History

• 32Q: 3740 Egyptian, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 06/01/2017 - 11/28/2017

Verification Level