Frieze with a Pattern of Interlaced Leaves

5th–7th century

Not on view

The monastic community of Bawit, founded in the 300s by Apa (Father) Apollo at a small village, grew to consist of numerous complexes with residences, chapels, and service structures and two large churches profusely decorated with sculptures and paintings, often reused from other sites, all affiliated with the Coptic church. The more important buildings were decorated with courses of sculpted stone freely combining floral and geometric motifs inspired by classical art – rosettes, acanthus leaves, meander patterns – with more recent Christian themes. These sculptural elements, demonstrating the Byzantine love of complex patterning with lush textures, were originally painted in rich, vibrant colors like those surviving in textiles.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Frieze with a Pattern of Interlaced Leaves
Date: 5th–7th century
Geography: Said to be from Egypt, Bawit
Medium: Limestone; carved in relief
Dimensions: H. 47 3/8 in. (120.3 cm)
W. 4 9/16 in. (11.6 cm)
D. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1910
Object Number: 10.176.14
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Fragment from a Frieze with Meander Pattern and Rosettes, Limestone; carved in relief — Fragment from a Frieze with Meander Pattern and Rosettes
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Fragment from a Frieze with Acanthus-Leaf Wheels, Limestone; carved in relief — Fragment from a Frieze with Acanthus-Leaf Wheels
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Fragment from a Frieze with Meander Pattern and Diamond-Shaped Rosettes, Limestone; carved in relief — Fragment from a Frieze with Meander Pattern and Diamond-Shaped Rosettes
6th century

Corner Block from a Frieze with a Meander Pattern of Lines and Rosettes, Limestone; carved in relief — Corner Block from a Frieze with a Meander Pattern of Lines and Rosettes
6th century

Fragment from a Molding with Acanthus Clusters under Arcades, Limestone; carved in relief — Fragment from a Molding with Acanthus Clusters under Arcades
5th–6th century

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