Textile ArtsByzantine5th-6th century

Square with Aphrodite

5th-6th century

Description

A tapestry woven tabula with a red square at center. Within the red square stands a nude female figure, meant to represent Aphrodite, with yellow drapery and blond curls. She holds a mirror in her right hand and gazes into it. Smaller figures (putti) stand on either side of her acting as attendants. The putto on the right holds out a small orange wreath with which to crown Aphrodite. Around this scene runs a brown border. Outside the inner square is an orange field containing an arrangement of roundels, plants, and birds. In each corner of the square sits a small red medallion outlined in white containing a putto that may be carrying fish or other symbols of abundance. Between the roundels are blue vases (kantharoi) with pink and red collars; from each vase emerge two, symmetrical coiling vines that end in bunches of purple grapes. The kantharoi on the left and right sides of the square have pairs of birds sitting amongst vines. The kantharoi at top and bottom have pairs of birds flanking them, again sitting in vines. The square has a dark blue outer border with geometric palmettes and dots; tendrils and leaves sprout from each corner. At the very top of the fragment might be a reinforced selvedge. Warps run perpendicular to the orientation of the square. Weft wrapping closes the largest slits in the tapestry.

Classification

Textile Arts

Technique

Woven, tapestry weave

Medium

Wool and linen

Culture

Byzantine

Period

Byzantine period, Early

Century

5th-6th century