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Lot Essay
Whilst the corpus of known textiles that relate to that of this lot in motif and style are generally attributed to Sasanian Iran or Central Asia (such as that of the previous lot). This textile has a carbon date test which pushes it clearly into the post-Sasanian period.
Certainly the influence of Sasanian or indeed Sogdian textiles is clear. The central motif of our winged horse is closely comparable and whilst the classic pearl border has been lost, it has been replaced by a stylized, loosely interpreted version of it. The 'Pegasus' motif that appears is an oft-repeated one, and the distinctive geometric covering of the body and tassels to the neck are typically Sogdian motifs, which are traceable to 6th and 7th century frescos in western China (C. Beurdeley, Sur les Routes de la Soie, le grand voyage des objets d'art, Fribourg, 1985, pp.116-17).
Where precisely these textiles were woven is not recorded. However, given the high cost of thread, probably imported from China, and the obvious skilled workmanship in the weaving, it seems likely that the manufacture would have been limited to court workshops.
A carbon date on a sample from this textile, performed by the University of Arizona, reference '3243 textile' on 2 May 2009, gives a 68.3 confidence of a date of 680-780 and a 95.4 confidence of a date between 660-870, consistent with the proposed dating.
Certainly the influence of Sasanian or indeed Sogdian textiles is clear. The central motif of our winged horse is closely comparable and whilst the classic pearl border has been lost, it has been replaced by a stylized, loosely interpreted version of it. The 'Pegasus' motif that appears is an oft-repeated one, and the distinctive geometric covering of the body and tassels to the neck are typically Sogdian motifs, which are traceable to 6th and 7th century frescos in western China (C. Beurdeley, Sur les Routes de la Soie, le grand voyage des objets d'art, Fribourg, 1985, pp.116-17).
Where precisely these textiles were woven is not recorded. However, given the high cost of thread, probably imported from China, and the obvious skilled workmanship in the weaving, it seems likely that the manufacture would have been limited to court workshops.
A carbon date on a sample from this textile, performed by the University of Arizona, reference '3243 textile' on 2 May 2009, gives a 68.3 confidence of a date of 680-780 and a 95.4 confidence of a date between 660-870, consistent with the proposed dating.