Bird decoration from an ecru linen furnishing fabric

Inventory number: FT 196
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

Difficult to identify, the bird (sparrow? dove?) has feathers in shades of blue, green and yellow, his eye a blue pupil surrounded by yellow and red, red feet and beak. The bird was probably a repeat design for a large furnishing textile.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

5th - 7th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 8 cm; weft: 14 cm

Comparisons:

Cf. FT 195.
Louvre, inv. X 4724: hanging.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Linen and woollen tapestry

I. Ground weave

Warp:

natural-coloured linen S: 19/cm

Weft:

natural-coloured linen S: 10/cm

Weave:

warp-faced tabby

II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

linen S

Weft:

pink, green-blue and blue wool S: +/- 30/cm; natural-coloured linen S: +:- 15/cm

Weave:

extended tabby 2/2

Ribs per cm:

7

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft

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