Cleveland Museum of Art

Gold-patterned Silk with Falcons and Heraldry

Date

1360–1400

Medium

Silk, gold thread; a combination of two weaves (lampas)

Culture

Italy, last third of 14th century

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Instead of international designs, this splendid gold-thread patterned silk displays a mixture of heraldic and falconry emblems. Pairs of falcons stand on a main d’aigle, a heraldic charge consisting of a bird’s wing and claw. They alternate with a panache, or plumes, from an ostrich with an ornamental interlacement at its base. Traditionally panaches were helmet or hat ornaments, but here is a heraldic crest. Although European motifs form the pattern, the dramatic energy of asymmetrical Chinese design persists.

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