End part of a woollen tunic clavus

Inventory number: FT 200
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

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

Share