Hestia Tapestry

The Hestia carpet is a Byzantine tapestry. It originated in the 6th century in Egypt and is located in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection in Washington, DC.

The Hestia rug has a size of 1.10 m × 1.35 m. An inscription refers to the representation as " Hestia as a grace giver ", Greek " Hestia Polyolbos " ( Hestia full of grace ).

The tapestry is constructed symmetrically, the positions and shapes of animals, flowers and people on the one side are mirrored on the other side. In the center sits Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth, on a throne. The Goddess is richly dressed and wearing a jeweled necklace and earrings. The six naked boy, three Hestia Polyolbos surrounded by those left and right, hold signs with their names in his hands. There are personifications of wealth " Pluto ," cheerfulness " Euphrosyne " the blessing " eulogia " of abundance " Euochia " virtue " Arete " and progress " Prokope ". Two female figures at the image edges are not named.