Byzantine Empire (Egypt) / late 300s–400s CE
Nereid (Sea-Nymph) from a Hanging
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Nereid (Sea-Nymph) from a Hanging as textile (Byzantine Empire (Egypt) · late 300s–400s CE).
Look closely at the eyeliner beneath the eye: it is formed by mixing two colors of thread, pink and blue.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this textile as dyed wool, undyed linen.
The museum's collection notes: The brilliant colors and complex design of this panel, likely one of several forming a tapestry, testify to its makers’ skill. Vines and birds frame a nereid, a mermaidlike mythological creature, against a dark blue ground. The weaver has aligned different-colored threads to create shading and special details. Blue threads representing water are integrated into the weaving of the glass bowl. Alternating pink and blue threads combine to create a smoky effect around the nereid’s eyes. Small spots across the surface are stable organic spores and fortunately do not affect the condition of this millennia-old textile.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtNereid (Sea-Nymph) from a HangingOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.