This shard fits with two others, now at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo (inv. 13724) and at the Benaki Museum in Athens (inv. 823). As part of a composition of the Descent from the Cross, it shows Joseph of Arimathea ready to receive Christ's dead body taken down for burial. The bowl from which the dispersed pieces come is one of a kind. Discovered in Egypt, it was probably made there for use in a local Christian church. Remarkably, its technique and style closely resemble Islamic pottery from the same period.For the latest information about this object, sherds; bowls, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Ayyubid DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style: Islamic
Large fragment woven in wool and undyed linen, with a design of two roundels containing the bust of a king and vertical rectangular panels with stylized figures of dancers and horsemen.For the latest information about this object, tapestries; fragment, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Carved in the round and embellished with reliefs showing a woman and a bird, this wooden object comprises a narrow bottle that once contained mascara or another similar substance. Other comparable pieces are known from Late Antique Egypt.For the latest information about this object, containers, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
These wooden panels are the finest and most complete examples to survive from the Early Byzantine period, having been preserved in the dry sands of Egypt. The panels, made for a cupboard or cabinet (or possibly used as window shutters), each have richly carved medallions of interlacing bands set with rosettes or eagles. A very similar pair of wooden doors is in Athens, Benaki Museum, inv. 9083.For the latest information about this object, cabinet doors, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This fragment may have belonged to the same colorfully decorated tunic as Walters 83.727. Both pieces tell the story of King David. This fragment depicts David the musician. The ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol of life, was adopted by Egyptian Christians as a variant of the cross. Its presence between the heads of the two figures suggests a Christian owner. Several smaller roundels with equestrian figures originally accompanied the scene.For the latest information about this object, roundels (circular panels); garments, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This fragment may have belonged to a group of colorfully decorated tunic ornaments telling the story of King David. The central medallion depicts David the musician. The presence of the "ankh," an alternative form of the cross used by Egyptian Christians as a symbol of life, between the heads of the two figures suggests a Christian owner.For the latest information about this object, roundels (circular panels); garments, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Ceramic vessels with monochrome painting in a similar style are typical of Christian Egypt. Birds and other animals are often found depicted on them. The meaning of the composition seen on this example is unclear.For the latest information about this object, dishes, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
Tapestry woven?For the latest information about this object, roundels (circular panels); garment, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style: