Textile Fragment

Unknown

5th–7th century · Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave · Islamic Art

The blond good shepherd protectively holds a lamb while others of his flock appear to his sides together with stylized trees. Holding a staff, he wears a short yellow tunic decorated with dark clavi (bands) and red orbiculi (medallions) and a blue chlamys (mantel) draped around his shoulders. Tunics were usually worn short for working. Good shepherds represented the bucolic life or the seasons. The image would eventually become a symbol of Christ as he was described in John 10:11-18. Orbiculi like these were originally woven into the tunic or furnishing for which they were made. Over time they came to be woven separately and attached, as here.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th–7th century

Medium

Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of George F. Baker, 1890