Fragment with Roundel (Orbiculus) and Partial Clavus
901
Physical Qualities
Wool, 10 × 4 in. (25.4 × 10.2 cm.)
Credit Line
George C. Jenkins Fund
Object Number
1972.47.2
Narrow tapestry-woven ornamental band or clavus (partial?) for tunic and matching small roundel or orbiculus positioned to its right about half way between the ends. Both ornaments are worked with dark brown wool (possibly originally purple) and yellowed (dyed or discolored natural) wool yarns (S twist singles) and surrounded by a plain-woven yellowed (dyed or discolored natural) woolen ground. The clavus is narrow with a brown (originally purple?) section at the top (incomplete) and a small roundish drop on the lower end. Within the band walls are numerous ambiguous shapes of stylized animals (hare, fish, lion or other 4-legged beast) as well as floral designs. The orbiculus is generally round with somewhat squared sides and is also composed of brown (originally purple?) and Yellowed (dyed or discolored natural) wool yarns. A "target" design is found in its center around which are similar stylized animal figures as in the clavus. Both band and roundel are surrounded by tightly worked wave motif borders.
The patch of plain woven fabric containing both designs is cut irregularly around all sides with little area remaining beyond the ornamental sections. A braided line is found at the extreme (viewer's) right, but does not constitute a finished edge since cut yarns are barely visible beyond it. Warp threads a S-spun singles woven at 28 threads per inch. Weft plain woven yarns are S-spun singles woven at 54 threads per inch. Weft tapestry yarns are S-spun and woven at 110 threads per inch.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1972; George Jenkins.
Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Timeless Weft: Ancient Tapestries and the Art of Louise B. Wheatley", February 1–July 30, 2017.