2-736-449 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Ornamental Shoulder Band from a Tunic, 600-650. Dancing human figures appear amidst leafy plants. The first and third figures are shepherds, each wearing spotted animal skin garments and holding wooden staffs. The second and fourth figures are dancers; the upper one wears a short draped garment (peplos), and the lower one appears nude except for a scarf draped over her shoulders. The brown-purple colour was dyed with kermes--a bluish-red dye from dried insects--and indigo in an unsuccessful attempt to imitate purple.