mid-16th century
Iran
Object qualities
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Objecttextile (towels, carpets, etc.): Fragment
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSilk, metal wrapped thread; cut and voided velvet
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SizeTextile: L. 31 in. (78.7 cm) W. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm) Mount: L. 35 5/8 in. (90.5 cm) W. 17 3/8 in. (44.1 cm) D. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
Iran -
Country today
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Datemid-16th 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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Textiles of the Safavid period demonstrate the technical mastery of the weavers as well as their strong dependence upon book illustration and illumination as a pattern source, at least in the products of court workshops. This example features a lattice pattern formed by staggered rows of lobed medallions. The princely pastime of falconry is the subject of the medallion scenes: the bird sits on her master’s gloved hand while an attendant, holding a receptacle and a bag for the game, approaches. A duck flies away from the falconer. The background of these scenes was once covered with metal thread, now mostly worn.