Fragment of a tabula with horsemen

Inventory number: FT 158
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont

A ring of medallions, contained in a square, frame armed horsemen (one of the mounts is marked with a cross). In the centre, in a larger medallion surrounded by a frieze of figures and geometric motifs, is a stylised figure (hunter, horseman, or four-legged animal?). The corners of this construction and the border are full of interlaced schematic motifs.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

5th - 7th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 25 cm, weft: 27 cm

Comparisons:

Musée des Tissus, Lyon, inv. 897.III.5.
In this instance too, the model sought to be imitated was that of silk weavings, from which various stylistic aspects were taken.

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Woollen and linen tapestry

I. No ground weave


II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

natural-coloured wool S: 8/cm

Weft:

composed wool yarn: fleece dyed before spinning S: +/- 45/cm; natural-coloured linen S: 55/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

Special techniques:

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

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