Fragment with an Interlace Medallion
Not on view
An angular interlaced band forms a grid within the circle. Each square is filled with nested diamond patterns; a leaf with three dots fills each corner. The openwork and fringe suggest that this fragment may be from a shawl, a rectangular piece of fabric worn by men, women, and children. Complete examples in museum collections and the painted shrouds of mummies from the late Roman period show that interlace was a favorite decorative element for shawls.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.