Textile Fragment
4th Century - 7th Century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This is a fragment from a type of textile known to have been used for cushion and mattress covers. This fragment is likely to have been cut from a mattress cover in modern times. The decoration is composed of repeating bands with a complex chequer design taking the place of the simple motifs in contrasting colours that are more typical of this weave. Certain technical characteristics, in particular the fact that the compound structure continues on through the plain cherry-red bands, set this textile aside from the majority of finds in this weave. Although discovered in Egypt, it may have been made elsewhere.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Weft-faced compound plain weave |
Brief description | Fragment of a mattress or cushion cover, wool, weft-faced compound plain weave (polymita), Akhmim, Egypt, 4th Century - 7th Century |
Physical description | Fragment from a mattress or cushion cover, wool, in weft-faced plain weave. The fragment is in chequered green wool in two shades, separated by narrow red wool stripes. |
Dimensions |
|
Styles | |
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Gallery label |
|
Object history | 631-1886 to 922-1886 inclusive purchased for £300 from Henry Wallis. Displayed in the exhibition Constantine The Great: York's Roman Emperor, Yorkshire Museum, 31 March - 29 October 2006 |
Production | Hartley et al. (see references) argue that the design and two-tone effect of this piece is in imitation of contemporary silks. |
Association | |
Summary | This is a fragment from a type of textile known to have been used for cushion and mattress covers. This fragment is likely to have been cut from a mattress cover in modern times. The decoration is composed of repeating bands with a complex chequer design taking the place of the simple motifs in contrasting colours that are more typical of this weave. Certain technical characteristics, in particular the fact that the compound structure continues on through the plain cherry-red bands, set this textile aside from the majority of finds in this weave. Although discovered in Egypt, it may have been made elsewhere. |
Bibliographic reference | E. Hartley, J. Hawkes, M. Henig with F. Mee, Constantine The Great: York's Roman Emperor (York, 2006): 188-9 No. 170 |
Collection | |
Accession number | 899-1886 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | December 10, 2007 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest