Textile Fragment with Facing Pairs of Birds Flanking a Tree of Life

11th–12th century

Not on view

The motif of facing birds on either side of a tree has a long history in Iran and other parts of the Islamic world, but it also became popular throughout the Byzantine Empire and developed around the area of the Mediterranean Sea. Very often it is difficult to determine where textiles of this design were made.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Textile Fragment with Facing Pairs of Birds Flanking a Tree of Life
Date: 11th–12th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran, probably Rayy
Medium: Silk; samite
Dimensions: Textile:
L. 18 in. (45.7 cm)
W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
Mount:
H. 25 in. (63.5 cm)
W. 17 7/8 in. (45.4 cm)
D. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Woven
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1944
Object Number: 44.155
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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