Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1985.113
Title
Band with Dancers and Plant Motifs
Classification
Textile Arts
Work Type
textile
Date
7th-8th century
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient)
Period
Byzantine period
Culture
Byzantine
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/99859

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Wool
Technique
Woven, tapestry weave
Dimensions
19.1 x 66 cm (7 1/2 x 26 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Nanette B. Rodney
Accession Year
1985
Object Number
1985.113
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
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.
Commentary
Similar in color scheme and composition to Harvard’s 1985.109. The motif of dancing centaurs can also be found on Harvard’s 1985.107.

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Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu