The part with a lattice decoration and arched border suggests this is a tunic neck panel. The clavus on the right is decorated with medallions, in the centre of which are stylised plant stems. The neck panel shows a lattice with geometric motifs and is framed by a diamond frieze, but only a few centimetres of it remain. This fragment might equally have been a weaving exercise.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
6th - 7th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 19.3 cm; weft: 20 cm
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Woollen and linen tapestry
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured wool? S2Z: 13/cm
Weft:
blue and brown wool S: +/- 28/cm; natural-coloured linen S: +/- 28/cm; red wool S: 2 x 1 pick of red wool
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Other features:
starting border: countered twining with 3 (S2Z) yarns taken together; first 12 picks of weft-faced tabby; slit tapestry, eccentric weft; soumak; vertical weft brocading in opposite directions over one warp: crossing; one selvedge: 3 units with 2 warp yarns each