This sleeve has retained its two selvedges as well as its border. Two wide bands traverse the sleeve, decorated with foliated scrolls in flying thread, with V-shaped extremities in which are placed stylised four-legged animals. The end of the sleeve is decorated with a scattering of small squares and stars.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
4th - 6th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 39 cm, weft: 28 cm
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Woollen tapestry with designs in flying thread
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured wool S: 13/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured wool S: 22/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured wool S: 13/cm
Weft:
red-purple wool S: 40/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Special techniques:
animals in slit tapestry, eccentric weft and details with linen S2Z; bands decorated with soumak ( wool S and linen S2Z (waves)); near the finishing border: 2-2 countered weft twining, where 18x 4 warp yarns are left floating over the twining; these warp yarns are weft-faced tabby woven with red-purple wool, which results in a small squared motifs; embroidery motifs at both sides of the countered weft twining; finishing border: warp yarns are worked into countered twining; selvedges: finished with sewn on finger weaving: double chain: made with wool S2Z