15th century
Spain
Object qualities
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Objecttextile (towels, carpets, etc.): Fragment
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSilk; lampas
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SizeTextile: H. 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm) W. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
Spain -
Country today
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Date15th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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This rectangular silk textile fragment displays a repetitive pattern of small flowers and plants in green, yellow, white, and blue in offset rows on a red ground. From the base of each plant spring small leaves and stems. Above each base, a lotus-like yellow flower with green buds and leaves rises from a palmette. Confronted long-necked birds with raised wings flank the stock.
This textile fragment is ornamented with a pattern of confronting long-necked birds perched on flower stalks, facing a taller central lotus. This imagery suggests the principle of the tree of life. At the bottom of the trees, date clusters spring from both sides at the base of the three lotus stalks, suggesting fertility and abundance.