Medallions with confronting peacocks

1660–1955 (radiocarbon date, 95% probability)

Iran ?, in the style of the Buyid period

(945–1055)

Medium

Silk: lampas weave

Measurements

Overall: 59 x 57.4 cm (23 1/4 x 22 5/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mallon 1968.73

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Location

Not on view

Description

This textile preserves six ovals aligned in two vertical columns; the top two ovals are fragmentary. Columns are separated by two guard lines that are interrupted by smaller vertical almond-shaped motifs; these are tangent to the large ovals at the widest point. Each large oval, bordered by a band of floriated Kufic, has a central ogival medallion, also bordered with floriated Kufic, with palmettes at each end. The medallions are placed on a ground of white on white with small aligned circles. Interspaces between large ovals are filled with pairs of opposed palmette trees flanked at each end with confronting birds in flight.