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TEXTILES
Persia (Iran): Rayy
Fragment
19th century [?]
Plain weave; Supplementary weft patterning; Lampas weave
Silk; Linen
29 x 36 in. (73.7 x 91.4 cm)
Gift of James D. and Stephanie Burns
TC 2004.5-12
Keywords: Bird motif (phoenix); Bird motif (Simurg); Tree motif (tree of life); Plant motifs; Animal motifs

The ancient city of Rayy (now Tehran) was a major stop on the Silk Road between Nishapur (close to Meshad) and to the south, Ecbatana (now Hamadan). This early Islamic-period textile from Rayy contains horned quadripeds and simurgs, large mythological birds similar to the phoenix. These creatures confront each other on either side of a tree of life, a motif used in many areas along the Silk Road.

-- Label copy for Along the Silk Road: Rugs and Textiles from Syria to China, February 7 to May 12, 2002.

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