Garment Decoration (

Garment Decoration ("Segmentum") with Figures Under an Arcade

Description Conservation Exhibitions Provenance Credit

Description The popularity of the cult of Dionysus, which was initially introduced to Egypt by the early Ptolemy rulers in the 3rd century BC and continued into early Byzantine times (4th-7th century), resulted in numerous textiles, such as this garment panel featuring Dionysiac themes. The "segmentum" (ornamental tunic patch) depicts dancers involved in what was probably intended to be a Dionysiac dance to celebrate regeneration and rebirth. The commonly used grape vine border, which frames the central portion of the panel, also acts as an allusion to Dionysus and to renewal and prosperity associated with him.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
5/13/2013	Examination	Examined

Exhibitions

Seeing Music in Medieval Manuscripts. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2014.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters

Download Image Add to Collection Creative Commons License

Creator

Egyptian (Artist)

Period

5th-6th century (Late Antique)

Medium

wool, linen
(Textiles)

Accession Number

83.485

Measurements

Overall H: 15 13/16 x W: 13 11/16 in. (40.2 x 34.8 cm); Left fragment (A) H: 15 3/4 x W: 1 9/16 in. (40 x 3.9 cm); Top fragment (B) H: 4 x W: 12 3/16 in. (10.2 x 30.9 cm); Bottom fragment (C) H: 3 1/8 x W: 9 7/16 in. (8 x 24 cm); Right fragment (D) H: 11 x W: 1 9/16 in. (27.9 x 4 cm)

Geographies

Egypt (Place of Origin)

Location Within Museum

Centre Street: Third Floor: Early Byzantine Art