id:			99536
accession number:	1919.17.a
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1919.17.a
updated:		

Silk with Dogs and Arabic Script in Swaying Bands, 1370–1400. Italy, last third of 14th century. Silk and silver thread; a combination of two weaves, 2/1 twill and 1/5 twill (lampas); overall: 30.2 x 31.1 cm (11 7/8 x 12 1/4 in.); mounted: 46.4 x 69.2 cm (18 1/4 x 27 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Dudley P. Allen Fund 1919.17.a

title:				Silk with Dogs and Arabic Script in Swaying Bands
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			1370–1400
creation date earliest:		1370
creation date latest:		1400
current location:		
creditline:			Dudley P. Allen Fund
copyright:			

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culture:	Italy, last third of 14th century
technique:	silk and silver thread; a combination of two weaves, 2/1 twill and 1/5 twill (lampas)
department:	Textiles
collection:	Textiles
type:		Textile
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Overall: 30.2 x 31.1 cm (11 7/8 x 12 1/4 in.); Mounted: 46.4 x 69.2 cm (18 1/4 x 27 1/4 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		2000 Years of Silk Weaving
	opening date:   1944-01-09T05:00:00
	<i>2000 Years of Silk Weaving</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (March 18-April 16, 1944).

	title:		Draped in Splendor: Renaissance Textiles and the Church
	opening date:   2003-09-07T00:00:00
	<i>Draped in Splendor: Renaissance Textiles and the Church</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 7, 2003-September 26, 2004).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

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fun fact:


digital description:


wall description:
Arabic script was included in many Italian silk patterns during the 1300s and early 1400s. Usually a few unintelligible but decorative Arabic letters were repeated in the design, but here, the pseudo-Arabic script is prominently displayed in the scalloped bands that support trefoil palmettes. Dogs and birds are incorporated into the pattern in an Italian fashion. During the 1300s and 1400s, Arabic script was featured in luxurious silks woven in Islamic territories, where it symbolized royal power. Spain, Egypt, and to a lesser extent the former Islamic territory of Sicily all produced examples that could have influenced the international silk style created by Italian silk designers. In addition, weavers may also have reinforced the fashion; they migrated from Sicily to the silk-weaving city of Lucca and subsequently to Venice. In Italian painting, pseudo-Arabic script not only decorated the border of the Virgin's mantle, but it was also repeated in silks displayed in the backgrounds.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1919.17.a/1919.17.a_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1919.17.a/1919.17.a_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1919.17.a/1919.17.a_full.tif