This band has a ‘chain’ of larger and smaller medallions, with various scenes. At the side of each smaller medallion, a dancing figure wearing a large round pendant that hangs down to the navel. In most of the large medallions, putti move amidst Nilotic animals (fish, sea creatures, birds) and plants. Two friezes of geometric pyramidal motifs edge the band, one end of which finishes with a looped selvedge fringe.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
5th - 6th century
Material:
Wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 12.3 cm; weft: 79 cm (+ 3.5 cm fringes)
Comparisons:
Cf. FT 144 (bulla).
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Woollen tapestry, decorated in flying thread
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured wool S: 10/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured wool S: 60/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured wool S: 10/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured, purple and orange wool S: 60/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft; flying thread brocading with natural-coloured and orange wool: for details and circles; selvedge: 3 units of 2 warp yarns each and weft fringes: each loop is made of 2 twined/plied wefts