Orbiculus that celebrates the Nile flooding

Inventory number: FT 29
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

In the outer part, birds, fishes and lotus capsules set in a Nilotic landscape. In the centre, putti and four-legged animals inspired by bucolic scenes. In each of the four axes, a small medallion encloses an eagle with outspread wings.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

6th - 8th century

Material:

Wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 27 cm, weft: 24 cm

Comparisons:

Coll. J-F Bouvier, inv. S 449.
Deutsches Textilmuseum, inv. 12767.
Haifa Maritime Museum, inv. 5450/937b: field.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Woollen tapestry

I. No ground weave


II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

black wool S: 11-12/cm

Weft:

natural-coloured an purple wool S: +/-48/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft, soumak-wrapped outlines, vertical weft brocading and flying thread brocading for details only
fragments of other ancient wool weaves are used to fill holes

Share