Orbiculus from a decorative textile

Inventory number: FT 36
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

Two circles in a square, one at 45°, in which five skilfully-arranged orange florets stand out against the dark blue ground. They are embedded in a dense and varied lacework, with touches of colour, created with flying thread.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

3rd - 5th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 25 cm, weft: 26 cm

Comparisons:

Cf. FT 38.
MET, New York, inv. 89.18.176.
Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, Trier, inv. VII.208.
Louvre, inv. X 4392.
MAK, Vienna, T 8958-1939.
V&A, London, inv. 758-1886.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Inwoven woollen tapestry

I. No ground weave


II. Flying thread brocading

Warp:

natural-coloured single used wool S: 10-11/cm

Weft:

black-purple wool S: 30-44/cm; yellow wool S: 40/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

Special techniques:

flying thread technique with natural-coloured linen S; ‘lazy lines’ to facilitate the construction of the decorated weave; tapestry weave for yellow ornaments

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