Detail View: The AMICA Library: Lions and Palmettes
|
AMICA ID:
|
CMA_.1991.3
|
|
AMICA Library Year:
|
1998
|
|
Object Type:
|
Textiles
|
|
Creator Name:
|
Unknown
|
|
Creator Nationality:
|
Asian; Central Asian
|
|
Creator Name-CRT:
|
Central Asia, Mongol period, 13 century or earlier
|
|
Title:
|
Lions and Palmettes
|
|
Title Type:
|
Primary
|
|
View:
|
Full View
|
|
Creation Date:
|
c. 13th century
|
|
Creation Start Date:
|
1180
|
|
Creation End Date:
|
1319
|
|
Materials and Techniques:
|
tapestry, silk and gold thread
|
|
Classification Term:
|
Tapestries
|
|
Classification Term:
|
Tapestries
|
|
Dimensions:
|
Overall: 63.5cm x 34.7cm
|
|
AMICA Contributor:
|
The Cleveland Museum of Art
|
|
Owner Location:
|
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
|
|
ID Number:
|
1991.3
|
|
Credit Line:
|
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
|
|
Rights:
|
|
|
Context:
|
Lions with PalmettesTapestry (kesi); silk and gold threadCentral Asia, 1200s or earlier, Mongol Period (1207-1368)The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1991.3(Cat. no. 19)The depiction of lions with parted manes and tilted headsdates from theSasanian dynasty of Iran (ad 226-637). The palmettes, on the other hand,are common to both the Iranian world and Central Asia. This kesi may havebeen woven by Uyghurs living in the vicinity of Khotan, where the influenceof Iranian culture was strong.The kesi is distinguished from other Central Asian silk tapestries by therepetition of lions and palmettes in horizontal rows. This pattern istypical of silks woven on drawlooms. Whereas a tapestry loom was extremelysimple, giving the weaver thefreedom to create whatever pattern he wished,the highly complex drawloom was specifically designed to repeat a givenmotif or group of motifs.Another kesi with this design preserves part of a cloud-collar medallion(see photograph). Since the looms were narrow, two panels had to be joinedtogether to complete the design (see diagram).
|
|
Related Image Identifier Link:
|
CMA_.1991.3.tif
|