However, the ancient Greek practice of recognizing achievement and bestowing honor through the presentation of a coronet of flowers and leaves has been adumbrated in Neoclassical embroideries and in the more recent work of a number of designers. In some instances, the key pattern is broken into a discontinuous segmented band, but even this disrupted linear repeat is sufficient to sustain the classical connection ( 1979.346.18a,b).Īlthough well represented in art, the use of mythological attributes to designate an Olympian deity is less common in fashion.

Of all these motifs, the Greek key and wave meander appear most frequently in designs intended to evoke the antique. Nevertheless, such patterns have rarely been used by later artists or by contemporary designers. Other abstracted forms of wave patterns, geometric repeats, and palmette friezes are also seen on classical garments, as are more intricate borders depicting themes ranging from animals, birds, and fish to complex battle scenes. A cursory survey of red- and black-figure vase paintings alone reveals that antique dress was composed of a rich variety of graphically patterned textiles ( 75.2.11).Īmong the most common designs seen in ancient art is the Greek key pattern, a rectilinear meander. However, pottery, painted sculpture, and the written word have given us extensive evidence of the use of decorative embellishments in ancient Greek dress. If present at all, the only ornamentation is a narrow banded border of braid or embroidery. Most early postclassical depictions of ancient Greek themes represent the gods, demi-gods, and mortals in loosely draped, monochromatic robes.

Meander greek mythology