Central medallion with an allegorical (Gaia?) or Apotropaic - protector bust. Field with stylised plant motifs and interlacing, outer border of multi-coloured and geometricized ripples.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
6th - 9th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 15 cm, weft: 14.5 cm
Comparisons:
Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, inv. 13005.
Haifa Museum of Art, inv. 6832.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Separately-woven linen and wool tapestry
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S: 16/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured linen S: 16/cm
Weave:
tabby
Other features:
3 selfbands: composition of each band: 3x2 yarns/pick + 3x1 yarn + 2x2 yarns/pick + 3x1 yarn + 3x2 yarns/pick
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S2Z: 10/cm
Weft:
red, turquoise, green and yellow, orange and white wool S: +/-48/cm; natural-coloured linen S
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Sewing Yarn:
S2Z
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft