Reliquary of Saint Anastasius Textile
Textile Found in the Reliquary of Saint Anastasius
ca. Early 8th Century CE
Silk
Cathedral of Saint Domnius, Split, Croatia
This silk fragment originates from the late Umayyad period. The original purpose of the fragment is theorized to either be a wall decoration or part of a noble’s outfit. If the textile was part of a noble’s outfit, there is a high chance of the outfit being used for leisure due to the silk material and design of the medallions.
The fragment’s decoration consists of five inhabited medallions. From the top, the first medallion depicts a plant with a pyramid shaped feature, the second medallion depicts a peacock’s tail, the third medallion depicts a lotus flower, the fourth medallion depicts another peacock’s tail, and the fifth medallion depicts another plant with a pyramid feature.