Velvet Fragment
ca. 1450-1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The pattern on this fragment of velvet has several associations. The pairs of wavy lines and groups of three large dots represent the pelts of the striped tiger and spotted leopard.
In the Islamic world, these designs acquired powerful associations. The Iranian hero Rustam, for example, is usually depicted wearing a tiger-skin coat. By 1500, these designs were popular motifs on Ottoman Turkish textiles and were often combined. They soon appeared in other media, such as tilework.
In the Islamic world, these designs acquired powerful associations. The Iranian hero Rustam, for example, is usually depicted wearing a tiger-skin coat. By 1500, these designs were popular motifs on Ottoman Turkish textiles and were often combined. They soon appeared in other media, such as tilework.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk velvet and gold-wrapped thread |
| Brief description | Fragment of velvet with ball-and-stripe motifs, Turkey (probably Bursa), 1450-1550. |
| Physical description | Fragment of velvet with design of tiger-stripes and three balls. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Jameel Gallery
Animal Pelt Designs
Pairs of wavy lines and groups of three large dots represent the pelts of the striped tiger and spotted leopard. In the Islamic world, the designs acquired powerful associations. The Iranian hero Rustam, for example, is usually depicted wearing a tiger-skin coat.
By 1500, these designs were popular on Ottoman Turkish textiles, and were often combined. They soon appeared in other media, such as tilework.
The triple-dot design has been confused with the Buddhist ‘precious jewel’ motif (Sanskrit cintamani), which is sometimes shown in groups of three. But there is no connection.
3 Velvet Fragment
Turkey, probably Bursa
1450–1550
Silk velvet
Museum no. 356-1897
(Jameel Gallery) |
| Object history | Purchased in Istanbul in 1897 from Mrs Alice Whitaker, daughter and heir of William Henry Wrench (1836-96). Wrench was British consul in the city when he died, and he had formed a significant collection of Ottoman and Iranian objects while in the consular service. For images of how Wrench displayed his collection in his home in the Pera (Beyoğlu) district of the city, see V&A: PH.331 to 334-1892. |
| Summary | The pattern on this fragment of velvet has several associations. The pairs of wavy lines and groups of three large dots represent the pelts of the striped tiger and spotted leopard. In the Islamic world, these designs acquired powerful associations. The Iranian hero Rustam, for example, is usually depicted wearing a tiger-skin coat. By 1500, these designs were popular motifs on Ottoman Turkish textiles and were often combined. They soon appeared in other media, such as tilework. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 356-1897 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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