Surviving illustrations on textiles from the 7th-8th centuries

[Druzhina]

I find it interesting that multiple examples of an illustration, on perishable material, can survive for over a thousand years.
The most I have found is seven examples of horse-archers on silk:
Arab, Syrian or Byzantine Horse Archer on a Coptic Textile, 7th century, Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Washington
Egyptian, Syrian or Arab Horse Archer on an Islamic Textile, Egypt or Syria, 7th-8th century, State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Egyptian, Syrian or Arab Horse Archer on an Islamic Textile, Syria, 8th century, Cleveland Museum of Art
Egyptian, Syrian or Arab Horse Archer on an Islamic Textile, Egypt or Syria, 8th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Egyptian or Arab Horse Archer on an Islamic or Byzantine Textile, Egypt or Byzantium, 6th-7th centuries, Victoria and Albert Museum 292-188
Egyptian or Arab Horse Archer on an Islamic or Byazantine Textile, Egypt or Syria, 8th century, Victoria and Albert Museum 817-190
Egyptian or Arab Horse Archer on an Islamic or Byazantine Textile, Egypt or Syria, 8th century, Victoria and Albert Museum 817-190

Comparison of Egyptian or Arab Horse Archers on Islamic or Byzantine Textiles

They were perhaps either mass produced or continued to be produced over a long time period for this many to turn up in western museums, as there are probably other survivers in institutions and private hands.

There are also 3 of another, similar, design: Arab, Syrian or Byzantine Horse Archers on Silk, 7th-8th Centuries

Mirror Sites
Comparison of Egyptian or Arab Horse Archers on Islamic or Byzantine Textiles
Arab, Syrian or Byzantine Horse Archers on Silk, 7th-8th Centuries

Druzhina
Illustrations of Arabian Costume & Soldiers

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Hi D, nice to see you back. Great finds as ever

[Techno]

+1, to both of Will's comments !

Cheers - Phil

[paulr]

+1 to both as well

[Druzhina]

Also of interest is that this


Coptic, Byzantine, Syrian or Arab Cavalryman on a Coptic Textile, Egypt, 7th century
has the same composition as this


Victorious Emperor, Coptic-Byzantine Ivory Relief, 7th century. The Walters Art Museum 71.1144

Druzhina
Byzantine Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Wonder which came first!