The textile weavers of Egypt were considered the finest in the ancient world. Using wool, silk, and linen, they created bold pictorial masterpieces to adorn the garments of the rich and powerful. Dating to the twilight of the pagan age, this small roundel depicts a scene from classical mythology. A naked sea nymph carrying a seashell sits upon a hippogriff, a creature with a lion's head and a fish's tail. Defined with strong, clear lines and an eye to unity of design, this charming piece evokes a world in transition, the last brilliant flowering of paganism.