Decorative frieze c. 16th century

Editor: This anonymous decorative frieze from the Harvard Art Museums is quite intriguing. The symmetry and use of heraldic imagery give it a formal feel. How would you interpret its historical context? Curator: This piece likely functioned as ornamentation, perhaps for a book or architectural element. The inclusion of fantastical figures and a coat of arms suggests it was intended to convey status and authority. Can you see how these symbols were popularized at the time to solidify power? Editor: Yes, now that you point it out, I see the way the frieze presents an image of nobility using mythological figures. It gives me something to think about. Curator: Indeed, it reveals much about the social role of imagery and its intended audience.