Fragment zijdeweefsel c. 1200 - 1900

This fragment of silk textile presents a recurring motif: a stylized bird enclosed within a teardrop shape. The bird, a symbol often associated with freedom, transcendence, and divine connection, appears here in a repeating pattern, suggesting a continuous cycle of rebirth or spiritual aspiration. Consider the ancient Egyptian depictions of the soul as a bird, or the phoenix rising from ashes, emblems of renewal. Now, look at the motif’s enclosure within the teardrop, which evokes the ‘mandorla’, an almond-shaped aureole frequently used in Christian art to frame Christ or the Virgin Mary, symbolizing a sacred space or the intersection of heaven and earth. Here, the mandorla embraces the bird, imbuing it with an aura of sanctity, perhaps alluding to an underlying longing for spiritual solace. This synthesis of avian symbolism and sacred geometry reflects our timeless quest for meaning, continuously resurfacing across cultures.