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Fragment

1420–1955

Iran or Iraq

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Medium
Silk: compound twill weave
Measurements
Overall: 71 x 77 cm (27 15/16 x 30 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1968.225.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

The design is at right angles to warp.

Description

The weave provides different design for each side. On the front, the overall lozenge pattern has alternating rows of ornamented ovals and diamonds. The large diamonds have a large four-leaved motif super-imposed over a diamond with trees in each corner. The foliate ground with four pairs of opposed griffins fills the interspaces to the oval border. The diamonds have two opposed pairs of birds each flanking a Tree of Life and standing on a plant motif; these enclose a smaller central diamond with trees in each corner and a central square.

On the reverse, the plain ground of natural tan has two brown bands in large and small Kufic inscription.
A roughly square silk fragment features dark brown and bronze roundels in staggered rows. Large medallions containing four-lobed floral shapes alternate with smaller diamond motifs. Stylized bird-like figures populate the foliate spaces between these designs. Heavily worn from time, numerous horizontal slashes cut across the fragment. Frayed, irregular edges frame the cloth, including a missing section at the lower right. The matte weave showcases an intricate, symmetrical pattern.

Fragment

1420–1955

Iran or Iraq

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