Roundel: Putto on a Horse

Unknown artist

5th-7th century

Wool and linen, tapestry weave

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A circular tapestry depicts a figure riding a horse, surrounded by a decorative border. The figure and horse are rendered in a stylized, woven manner. A figure nude except for flowing cape rides a white horse with its mouth open wide, perhaps whinnying. Red yarn marks out details of the figure's face, hand, and bellybutton against the golden body of the putto. Figure and horse are against indigo background with red border. Slit and interlock tapestry. Strongly eccentric wefts. Several areas of ground fabric survive and are folded underneath the tapestry roundel. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of The Hagop Kevorkian Foundation in memory of Hagop Kevorkian