A fragment of ecru linen, decorated with red wool tapestry was cut out and sewn onto ecru woollen cloth to create this (probably modern) montage. The linen fabric is decorated with two guinea fowls (?) with red and beige-marked feathers. Beneath, solid red bands frame a scattering of red leaves and flowers.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
5th - 7th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Linen weave: warp: 12.5 cm, weft: 32 cm
Comparisons:
MFA, Boston, inv. 09.116a-b: throughout decoration.
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, inv. 7006: floral band.
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Genève, inv. 12736: guinea fowls.
Musée de Cluny, inv. Cl. 22476 and 22462: idem.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Woollen tapestry inwoven into a linen cloth
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S: 22/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured linen S: 19/cm
Weave:
fine, transparent tabby
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S
Weft:
red wool S
Weave:
extended tabby: 2/1 and 2/2
Special techniques:
stripes: balanced tabby, weft-faced tabby; small motifs: slit tapestry, eccentric wefts