1media/main-image-1_thumb.jpg2021-12-13T17:46:44-08:00Finley Cassidy3c0c321ec657f9ee9d7001c46137135200a0a7f7394471Medallion Depicting Addorsed Amazons on Horseback. 6-7th century C.E. Silk; samite (weft-faced compound twill).plain2021-12-13T17:46:44-08:00Finley Cassidy3c0c321ec657f9ee9d7001c46137135200a0a7f7
This page is referenced by:
12021-11-03T13:50:33-07:00When was this made?24plain2022-09-20T18:01:14-07:00By Finley Cassidy '22
Thisobjecthas been dated from the 7th-9th century. Due to the large number of similar silks that still survive in various colors, it is possible for art historians to trace the long popularity of this ancient iconography. For instance, this related example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a tiny cross at the top and bottom of the roundel's circular frame. Other examples of similar silks show motifs associated with Islamic cultural contexts. It appears as if this roundel's iconography showing two Amazons on horseback was in use for many years and in different religious and cultural contexts.
12021-11-03T13:51:56-07:00Where was this produced?16plain2022-09-15T11:22:21-07:00By Finley Cassidy
This roundel was produced in either Egypt or Syria and was created during the 7th-9th century. By examining the silk used on medallions, we can understand whom they were intended for. The highest quality silks produced during the Byzantine and Sassanid periods were intended for a relatively small elite, while a broad range of simpler two-colored silks were used by those trying to imitate the elite style. Due to the large number of similar silks that still survive in various colors and styles, it is possible for art historians to trace the long popularity of this ancient iconography.