Textile with Birds and Horned Quadrupeds Flanking a Tree of Life

11th–12th century
Not on view
The motif of confronted animals on either side of a tree has a long history in Iran, but it became popular throughout the Byzantine empire and in the area around the Mediterranean Sea where Iranian textiles were traded. Because imitations were made in Europe, it is often quite difficult to determine where textiles of this design were made.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Textile with Birds and Horned Quadrupeds Flanking a Tree of Life
  • Date: 11th–12th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Silk; warp faced plain weave
  • Dimensions: Textile: L. 17 in. (43.2 cm)
    W. 15 3/4 in. (40 cm)
    Mount: L. 21 1/4 in. (54 cm)
    W. 20 5/8 in. (52.4 cm)
    D. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Woven
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1952
  • Object Number: 52.20.10a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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