Why was this made, and how was it used?
By Christopher Smith
We know that the makers of the textile intended for it to have a large, decorative purpose. It was probably used as a curtain in a rich home or expensive building, or used as a garment, possibly worn at ceremonies.
Since the textile is torn, we are able to see the technique used to make it. It is weft-faced which is a complicated technique that would have needed expensive technology. This makes the textile expensive so that is why someone who is rich most likely owned it. It probably would not have been used as a bed sheet or other usage people had for textiles because it is high-end.
Medallions in art have the purpose of being used for decoration. These decorative medallions have patterns that draw the eye to them. It can be inferred from the captivating patterned borders in this textile that appears to form an arcade (continuous arches), that a medallion was unwound to create this pattern. An unwound medallion would still serve a decorative purpose, but since it is unwound, it takes up a larger area and can serve to have a larger, decorative purpose. The Roundel with Amazons on Horseback, a textile also in this collection, is an example of this.
A curtain would be a great place for a decorative piece. Curtains are large in size, which will catch the attention of a viewer, and the placement of being in front of a window, a natural light source, will capture the attention of a viewer even further.
Wearing the textile as a garment would also be a great way to show off a decorative piece like this. If worn during a ceremony, it may garner all of the attention, as the focus would be on the individual wearing it. We know that in England in the 13th century, King Henry the Third owned a textile with Samson in combat with a lion on it, but it is not known if this textile was the one that he owned.