The two figures could portray either the last meeting between Achilles and the Amazonion queen Penthelisia, or a simply putto and a Nereid (a recurrent theme in these textiles). The conch that crowns the scene may support the second hypothesis. Their blue and red diadems suggest rather high status.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
5th - 6th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 17.5 cm, weft: 16 cm
Comparisons:
MdK, Basel, inv. III 17064: Achilles and Penthelisia.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Inwoven tapestry
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S: 16/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured linen S: 16/cm
Weave:
tabby
3 parts of the ground weave are originally not part of this textile
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
linen S
Weft:
red, black, yellow, green and orange wool S: 40/cm; natural-coloured linen S: 54/cm
Weave:
extended tabby 2/2
Ribs per cm:
8
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details only