Velvet hanging
19th century
Arabic characters twirl in a nonsensical dance within this textile’s central medallion. The letters around the border, however, are full of meaning, exhorting the owner (or any beholder) to live humbly, to be good, and to believe in divine truth.
Although now displayed on a platform, this velvet was made to hang on a wall or in a doorway. By showing this work of art in a way that minimizes physical strain on its fibers, we hope to extend its “lifetime,” and allow future generations of museum visitors to enjoy its artistry.
Velvet and plain weave cloth
68 x 59 in. (172.72 x 149.86 cm)
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
35.99