Tunic Ornament: Two Hunters Battling Lions

Unknown artist

5th-6th century

Wool and linen

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A woven textile depicts two figures, each holding a staff, confronting lions within a dark circular border. The figures and animals are rendered in black against a light-colored background. Square panel from a linen cloth, tapestry-woven in black wool and undyed linen thread. Areas of plain woven linen are visible on the edges of the square. A circle encloses two men on foot fighting felines. The upper cat is a maned lion, and the lower cat has spots. The human figures, partially nude with large eyes, lung forward with a spear or sword. The lower human figure sports a top knot. Spandrels formed by the circle and square are filled with vine scrolls. The flying shuttle technique adds detail to the figures and vines in an undyed thread. The square has been stitched down onto a fabric support. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M.