Tapestry Fragment with Two Figures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2022

Title: Fragment with Two Figures

Date: 5th–6th century

Geography: Attributed to Egypt

Medium: Linen, wool

Dimensions: Max. H. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
Max. W. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm)

Classification: Textiles

Credit Line: Gift of George F. Baker, 1890

Accession Number: 90.5.875

A male and a female figure flank a fluted column with an interlace midway up the shaft. The male figure's lost torso and head and the missing attribute atop the column make the scene difficult to identify. Similar complete scenes suggest that the pair may be Apollo and one of the nine muses, or Orpheus, the son of Apollo, and his lover Eurydice. The monochrome narrative is combined with skillfully rendered grapes, complete with light reflections and shadows, and bi-color leaves. Monochrome figures accompanied by polychrome architecture and vegetal and floral motifs are common on large wall hangings and covers.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/444353