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Segmentum from a Tunic
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A fierce lion with a pronounced mane takes down a large bull on a purple red ground with stylized trees and plants. Both animals appear to be facing us, the viewer. The border displays a formal wreath of rosettes. This roundel, or circular element, and two additional matching examples suggest that they originally decorated the front and back of a tunic. The scene may be an abbreviated reference to the royal hunt, one of the pleasures of the court that served as propaganda to legitimize the authority of rulers by confirming their ability to control natural resources.
| Artist / Maker | Egypt, Abbasid period |
|---|---|
| Date | 750–99 |
| Culture / Origin | Egypt, Abbasid period |
| Medium | tapestry; linen and wool |
| Dimensions | Overall: 23.5 x 20.4 cm (9 1/4 x 8 1/16 in.) |
| Department | Textiles |
| Type | Textile |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
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