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Hanging with Nikes Holding Bowl of Fruit

6th–7th century
Not on view
Winged Nikes often appear as symbols of victory in the classical world. In the Byzantine era some winged images, as here, retained their pre-Christian association with victory and prosperity, while others were transformed into angels. Dressed in pink, blue, and green with golden highlights and crowns, this pair of Nikes holds a bowl of fruit (?) over a trellis pattern inhabited by vividly colored birds and flowers, possibly lotus buds and blossoms. Nikes and lotus flowers were both associated with the abundance of the Nile. The loops at the top over the band of multicolored, stylized leaves were used to hang the work on a wall or between columns.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hanging with Nikes Holding Bowl of Fruit
  • Date: 6th–7th century
  • Geography: Made in Egypt
  • Medium: Linen, wool
  • Dimensions: Textile: H. 51 1/2 in. (130.8 cm)
    W. 68 3/4 in. (174.6 cm)
    Mount: H. 89 in. (226.1 cm)
    W. 52 in. (132.1 cm)
    D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
    Wt. 60 lbs. (27.2 kg)
  • Classification: Textiles
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
  • Object Number: 12.182.45
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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