Two circles in a square, one at 45°, in which five skilfully-arranged orange florets stand out against the dark blue ground. They are embedded in a dense and varied lacework, with touches of colour, created with flying thread.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
3rd - 5th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 25 cm, weft: 26 cm
Comparisons:
Cf. FT 38.
MET, New York, inv. 89.18.176.
Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, Trier, inv. VII.208.
Louvre, inv. X 4392.
MAK, Vienna, T 8958-1939.
V&A, London, inv. 758-1886.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Inwoven woollen tapestry
I. No ground weave
II. Flying thread brocading
Warp:
natural-coloured single used wool S: 10-11/cm
Weft:
black-purple wool S: 30-44/cm; yellow wool S: 40/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Special techniques:
flying thread technique with natural-coloured linen S; ‘lazy lines’ to facilitate the construction of the decorated weave; tapestry weave for yellow ornaments