Modern assemblage of several fragments representing a Dionysian procession

Inventory number: FT 8
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

The largest character, with curly hair, set between two women, is holding a long object (Dionysus with his thyrsus?). On the right is a satyr, recognisable from the horns on his head, which also suggests the scene can be linked to a Dionysian context.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

4th - 6th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 35 cm, weft: 19 cm

Comparisons:

Musée de Cluny, inv. Cl. 13156.
Musée de Cluny, inv. Cl. 16658: figures.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Tapestry originally inwoven in a tunic

Several textile fragments glued together, some parts are from the same weave. Bringing these different pieces together, no attention is paid to the direction of the warp: upper border: vertical direction of the warp; upper brown border: several fragments with warp in both directions; figures: warp mostly in horizontal direction, but with infills in vertical direction. The central brown column is not connected to the part with figures on the right

Warp:

natural-coloured linen S

Weft:

brown-purple wool Z: 92/cm, natural-coloured linen S

Weave:

extended tabby 2/3

Ribs per cm:

14

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details only, soumak

Dyes analysed:

Weftthread: brown-purple Z wool: madder, indigo/woad

Share