Roundel with Central Asian-style "Candelabra Tree"

Unknown

7th–9th century · Silk; samite · Islamic Art

This beige and green silk textile fragment displays a roundel with a border of scrolling vines and leaves, at the center of which a stylized tree of life appears, bearing flowers, leaves, and fruit. The composite tree, as well as the fragmentary abstract floral designs around it, can be understood as an Islamic interpretation of the composite tree motifs popular in pre-Islamic Sasanian art. This fragment may have originally been part of a tunic or other garment, and is stylistically related to similar textiles found in Egypt.

Artist

Unknown

Date

7th–9th century

Medium

Silk; samite

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1917