Stylised foliated scrolls bearing leaves and flowers. The band was appliquéd (perhaps more recently?) onto a woollen textile, of which a reinforced selvedge remains.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
5th - 6th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Ground weave: warp: 7 cm, weft: 20 cm; decorated tapestry: warp: 5 cm, weft: 17.5 cm
Comparisons:
Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, inv. 12894.
Louvre, inv. AC 711 and 714.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Separately-woven linen and woollen tapestry
I. Ground weave
Warp:
natural-coloured wool S: 11/cm
Weft:
natural-coloured wool S: 28/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Other features:
selvedge: two 3-yarn warp units and one 4-yarn unit
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S: 9/cm: irregular 2/3
Weft:
brown wool S: +/- 60/cm; natural-coloured linen S: +/- 60/cm
Weave:
weft-faced tabby
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details only