Appliquéd orbiculus with a ‘Nilotic’ scene

Inventory number: FT 17
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

In the medallion centre, a nude, kneeling figure, with the two mantle ends floating behind, is reminiscent of the posture of Venus Anadyomene drying her hair as she emerges from water after her mythical birth. All around, a landscape with putti carrying birds.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

6th - 9th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 12.5 cm, weft: 12 cm

Comparisons:

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, inv. 9911.
Musée de Cluny, inv. Cl. 22453: medallion.
Louvre, inv. AF 5558: idem.
Louvre, inv. X 4239: idem.
Coll. J-F Bouvier, inv. S 40.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Tapestry woven separately

I. No ground weave


II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

natural-coloured linen S, single use: 13/cm

Weft:

green, yellow, different nuances of blue wool S: +/- 50/cm ; red wool Z: +/- 48/cm; natural-coloured linen S: 75/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft, flying thread brocading for details, soumak for inner circles

Dyes analysed:

Weftthread: red Z wool: madder

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