In the central medallion is a nude man wearing a crown or diadem, his mantle draped over his shoulders and flying behind. In his left hand, he holds a bunch of grapes (?) and in the right a shield (or wineskin?). The richly-decorated chariot at his feet has a jumping feline on each side.
Origin:
Egypt
Date:
3rd - 6th century
Material:
Linen and wool
Dimensions:
Warp: 15 cm, weft: 14.5 cm
Comparisons:
MET, New York, inv. 90.5.873.
MFA, Boston, inv. 01.8352.
State Hermitage Museum, inv. 11337.
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:
purple wool S: 56-64/cm; natural-coloured linen S
Weave:
extended tabby: irregular units of 2 and 3 warp yarns
Ribs per cm:
9
Special techniques:
slit tapestry, eccentric weft, lazy lines to facilitate the construction of the weave, vertical weft brocading, flying thread brocading for the decoration of the corners and details of the central figure