The central medallion encloses a nude character, with a mantle on his shoulders, one arm raised and a slightly inclined head, probably in a dance posture. Snippets of fabric have regrettably been glued to the face and neck in modern times. In the outer border, eight medallions frame hares or filled baskets.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
5th - 6th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
1) Warp: 30 cm, weft: 35 cm;
2) Warp: 21 cm, weft: 27 cm
Comparisons:
Pushkin Museum, inv. 5385.
Provenance:
Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation
Location:
Musée royal de Mariemont
Linen and woollen tapestry
I. No ground weave
II. Tapestry areas
Warp:
natural-coloured linen S
Weft:
red, green, orange and brown wool S: 28/cm; natural-coloured linen S: 28/cm
Weave:
extended tabby: irregular units of 2 and 3 warp yarns
Ribs per cm:
7
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details; False hatching: paired wefts: 1 linen and 1 brown wool yarn/pick