Shroud of Saint Sernin (Toulouse)

Shroud of Saint-Sernin (Toulouse)

Andalusia, 12th century
Silk shroud
H. 0.39 m; W. 0.13 m
Acq. Baron, 1892
Cl. 12869

The profiles of peacocks face a stylised tree of life on either side, on a blue-black background. At the top of the tree their fanned-out tails meet, forming a sort of medallion around them. Two pairs of small quadripeds stand before and behind their legs. The ensemble stand on a pedestal bearing an inscription in Kufic caracters that states: "supreme benediction". Two smaller birds are ensconced beneath the pedestal on each side of a triangular foot. The scenes are separated from one another by palm trees with long trunks.
Two identical patterns are superimposed, woven with silk of different colours: red, yellow and sky blue in the upper part, and yellow, beige and sky blue in the lower part.