Fragment of looped linen cover, with a band and tabula

Inventory number: FT 141
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

This tapestry band is decorated with two large medallions formed by an acanthus-foliated scroll, in which a feline is chasing a hare. On either side, foliated scrolls form medallions, each decorated with a rosette. Similar decoration on the edges of the tabula, with a four-legged animal in the centre. The central medallion contains an eight-pointed star with its surface covered with interlacing spirals in flying thread.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

4th - 6th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 65 cm, weft: 85 cm

Comparisons:

British Museum, inv. EA 21795.
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, inv. 9111.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Weft-looped linen cloth with woollen and linen inwoven tapestry

I. Ground weave

Warp:

natural-coloured linen S: 25/cm

Weft:

natural-coloured linen S: 12/cm

II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

linen S

Weft:

purple, red and green wool S: +/- 50/cm; natural-coloured linen S: 50/cm

Weave:

tapestry band: extended tabby 4/2

Ribs per cm:

6

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details in linen and yellow wool, vertical weft brocading; false hatching: 1 wool and 1 linen yarn/pick

III. Pile areas

Special techniques:

slip loops: length of loops: 4cm; 5 to 9 picks between the loop rows

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