A band of chevrons frames two nude full-face figures in a rectangle. Around this is a wide border with interlacing lozenges and highlighted small crosses and ovoid motifs . The extremity of the band has an arcade design. The treatment of the figures is schematic: there is no neck and each limb is a simple vertical line with three finger or toes, with bracelets and anklets (dancers?).
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
6th - 9th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 16.5 cm, weft: 20.5 cm
Comparisons:
Coll. Choron (cat. The rich Life and the Dance, UIP 2015), inv. B30.
Deutsches Textilmuseum, inv. 12603.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Woollen tapestry decorated in flying thread
I. No ground weave
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured/ochre wool S: 10/cm
Weft:
purple wool S: partly woven with 2 yarns/pick: +/- 20/cm, where single used: +/- 40/cm; brown, red, green, black and ochre wool S: 44-50/cm; natural-coloured linen S
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, vertical weft brocading, flying thread brocading in wool and linen