2-740-826 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Silk with lattice of animals in medallions, 600s-800s. In this fragile silk, vines bearing heart-shaped florets form a diamond grid which displays different motifs in alternate rows. Pairs of ducks with ribbons flying behind their necks flank a palmette tree, showing Iranian influence, and alternate with two birds in lobed medallions. The patterns in such expensive silks were copied in less costly wool tapestry weave by Coptic weavers in Egypt.