Fragment with confronted sphinxes in roundels from the tomb of Saint Bernard Calvo

1200–43
Overall: 54.6 x 65.4 cm (21 1/2 x 25 3/4 in.); Mount: 66.7 x 76.8 cm (26 1/4 x 30 1/4 in.); Framed: 69.2 x 79.4 cm (27 1/4 x 31 1/4 in.)
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location: not on view

Download, Print and Share

Description

Composite creatures, such as winged lions and sphinxes, predate the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. Islamic textiles continued to include them for centuries after the Arab conquest of Spain. Pairs of lions with gold faces rear up to bite the haunches of the winged beasts. In between the roundels are pairs of peacocks, motifs traceable to pre-Islamic Persian art that spread throughout the Islamic world, including Spain.

The body of Saint Bernard Calvo, the Catholic Bishop of Vich in 1233–43, was wrapped in textiles, including these fragments that still retain traces of his blood.
Fragment with confronted sphinxes in roundels from the tomb of Saint Bernard Calvo

Fragment with confronted sphinxes in roundels from the tomb of Saint Bernard Calvo

1200–43

Spain, Almeria

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.