Textile Ornament(?): Phoenix

A cut-out figure of a phoenix in beaten gold, wings spread and head turned toward a curling tail of scrolling foliate forms. Fine chased lines articulate the feathers, legs and claws, and the openwork silhouette is set against a dark ground.

Look closer: Fine chased lines engraved across the feathers and the claws on the feet.

Artist

Unknown

Date

c. 700s

Medium

beaten gold with chased detail

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2941 × 3400 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund