Two Figures Framed by a Jeweled Border

Description

This weaving depicts a haloed man and woman. However, it once had a third figure at left. The textile was damaged before its 1979 acquisition; only the third figure’s partial halo and shoes remained. Staff decided to “close the gap” around the missing area and remove the shoes. While creating a “complete” image, that removal affects our ability to understand the weaving’s subject. Many questions remain: Who are the man and woman? His red cap may identify him as an “Easterner” or a freeman. Who was their missing companion? Continuing research will consider biblical and Greek mythological stories in which threads play a role.

Provenance

(L'Ibis Gallery, Ltd., New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art). (1979); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1979-)

Two Figures Framed by a Jeweled Border

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450–550 CE

Accession Number

1979.58

Medium

wool, linen, and dye

Dimensions

Overall: 24.1 x 28.6 cm (9 1/2 x 11 1/4 in.); Mounted: 33 x 37.5 cm (13 x 14 3/4 in.)

Classification

Textile

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund