Tapestry square with horseman hunting a hare
Maker: Coptic
Medium:Linen and wool tapestry in a linen tabby ground
Geography: Egypt
Date: 4th-5th century
Period: Late Antique - Early Byzantine
Dimensions:27 x 26.5 cm; Mounted dimensions: 27.5 x 27 cm
Object number: 910.131.36
Credit Line: The Walter Massey Collection
DescriptionDecorative panel from a curtain or cover. A horseman hunting hare is framed by a vine springing from a fluted urn in the centre of each side and forming corner roundels with putti carrying baskets of fruit or birds. Hunting motifs and inhabited plant scrolls are frequent in Late Antique art and were associated with prosperity. This largely monochromatic tapestry square can be given an early date because of its classical motifs, naturalistic proportions, lively movement and three quarter views.
