Assemblage with floral and animal decoration

Inventory number: FT 189
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

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

Share