Hanging with Nikes Holding Bowl of Fruit

Unknown

6th–7th century · Linen, wool · Islamic Art

Winged Nikes often appear as symbols of victory in the classical world. In the Byzantine era some winged images, as here, retained their pre-Christian association with victory and prosperity, while others were transformed into angels. Dressed in pink, blue, and green with golden highlights and crowns, this pair of Nikes holds a bowl of fruit (?) over a trellis pattern inhabited by vividly colored birds and flowers, possibly lotus buds and blossoms. Nikes and lotus flowers were both associated with the abundance of the Nile. The loops at the top over the band of multicolored, stylized leaves were used to hang the work on a wall or between columns.

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th–7th century

Medium

Linen, wool

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1912