Fragments of a hanging with a horseman

Inventory number: FT 162
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

Assemblage of tapestry fragments. In the centre, a horseman with a feline (or dog?) on the horseback. The horse’s coat is orange-like but its hooves and mane are depicted in red, blue-green and pink. On either side, a peacock holding a fish (?) in its beak.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

6th - 8th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

1) Warp: 19.5 cm, weft: 47cm;
2) Warp: 14 cm, weft: 19 cm

Comparisons:

Coll. Choron (cat. The rich Life and the Dance, UIP 2015), inv. A37: the two lower horsemen.
Louvre X 4439 (unmounted horse).

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Woollen and linen tapestry

I. Ground weave

Warp:

natural-coloured wool S: 9/cm

Weft:

natural-coloured wool S: 28-32/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

natural-coloured wool S: 9/cm

Weft:

pink, red, yellow and different nuances of blue wool S: +/- 44/cm; natural-coloured linen S: +/- 40/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft, lazy lines in ground weave to facilitate the weaving of the tapestry parts

Share