In the medallion centre, a nude, kneeling figure, with the two mantle ends floating behind, is reminiscent of the posture of Venus Anadyomene drying her hair as she emerges from water after her mythical birth. All around, a landscape with putti carrying birds.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
6th - 9th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 12.5 cm, weft: 12 cm
Comparisons:
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, inv. 9911.
Musée de Cluny, inv. Cl. 22453: medallion.
Louvre, inv. AF 5558: idem.
Louvre, inv. X 4239: idem.
Coll. J-F Bouvier, inv. S 40.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Tapestry woven separately
I. No ground weave
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S, single use: 13/cm
Weft:
green, yellow, different nuances of blue wool S: +/- 50/cm ; red wool Z: +/- 48/cm; natural-coloured linen S: 75/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details, soumak for inner circles
Dyes analysed:
Weftthread: red Z wool: madder