A beaded ribbon traces medallions that enclose stylised birds and fishes (?). The green used in the lower part is continued as yellow ochre. In the centre, four putti play around the main character.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
5th - 7th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 22 cm, weft: 22 cm
Comparisons:
Louvre inv. E 28525, E 29324 bis, E 27862: analogies of obvious ‘style’, and similar colour variations within the design, characteristic of weaving tests of this type. Despite the more ambitious layout of our piece, both can be considered as being in the same category.
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, yellow and green wool S: 35-40/cm; natural-coloured linen S: +/- 36/cm
Weave:
extended weave: 2/2
Ribs per cm:
6
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details