Textile Fragment Depicting a Speckled Deer
868-905
Maker Unknown
Arts of the Islamic World
A speckled deer or gazelle nibbles on leaves under a canopy of large fronds in this textile fragment. The fine weave and relatively light weight of the piece suggest it was part of a domestic textile, perhaps a coverlet.
The deer was a popular motif in Egypt, inherited from the Late Antique artistic vocabulary. In early Islamic times the animal symbolized good luck, a visual equivalent of the expression “good wishes,” which was inscribed in Arabic on many early and medieval-era Islamic objects.
The deer was a popular motif in Egypt, inherited from the Late Antique artistic vocabulary. In early Islamic times the animal symbolized good luck, a visual equivalent of the expression “good wishes,” which was inscribed in Arabic on many early and medieval-era Islamic objects.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Textile
- Formatted Medium
- Wool and linen
- Period
- Tulunid Period
- Dimensions
- 14 x 8 1/2in. (35.6 x 21.6cm) Frame: 2 x 20 x 14 in. (5.1 x 50.8 x 35.6 cm)
- Departments
- Arts of the Islamic World
- Accession Number
- 86.227.96
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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