Lampas with Phoenixes amid Vines Pillow

This silk lampas weave was made in Iran under the Mongol Ilkhanid dynasty in the late 1200s or 1300s, depicting phoenixes diving and standing among curving vine patterns adapted from Chinese textile design. Chinese motifs like these entered Iranian weaving after the Mongol conquests connected the two regions in the 1270s, and the two phoenix types shown here likely reflect an innovation of Yuan-dynasty China. The textile is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Jacquard-woven both sides in soft, durable yarn; insert included.