Sicily, island of sun, myth, and the omnipresent sea, has been
the prized jewel in the crown of many invading empires. The
Mediterranean Sea was the channel for the great trade routes
between the East and the West. Plying her waters, the
Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the French, and
the Spanish all conquered Sicily and contributed to her diverse
culture. This cultural amalgamation fostered a varied artistic
identity. Arabic decorative motifs endured in the complex
architectural elements of the cities, especially Palermo.
Technical skills in weaving and other textile arts came from the
Greek isles. The Byzantine Empire supplied a rich ornamental
vocabulary originating in the bazaars of Constantinople. In the
overall design of this embroidered band, one can see a
corruption of traditional Arabic inscriptions, especially in the
geometric, repeating designs in the linear elements. Beginning
with the Arab domination of the island in 850 AD, this type of
motif appeared on textiles, architecture, a