Félix Guichert


Schematic drawing of a Buyid silk textile from the 10th century, created by artist Félix Guichert. The intricate design features a central human figure, likely a royal or divine personage, with two arms and two avian heads, a form known as a Gandaberunda in Hindu mythology. 
The figure is flanked symmetrically by two lion-like creatures below its widespread, ornately patterned wings, and stands on a decorative base. This complex mythical iconography, blending human, avian, and feline elements, has ancient origins in Mesopotamian and Hittite cultures, where the double-headed eagle and related symbols represented sovereignty, divine favor, and immense power. It later appeared in various cultures, including the Byzantine and Seljuk empires, and currently serves as the state emblem of Karnataka, India. 

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