Silk Fragment thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Silk Fragment

ca. AD400-600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Woven silk fragment, damaged. Egyptian, ca. AD400-600. The fragment has a green design on undyed silk. It is edged on two sides with a fringe to create selvedge and a bottom border. The design is bordered within a square and on each side there is a row of floral/heart shapes. The design on one side is a mirror image of the other side and in the centre is a vertical row of floral shapes. The design is of a huntsman, with a cloak, on horseback and holding a staff/club held high in one hand. An eagle sits above the horse's head. Below the huntsman is a man dressed in a skirt and holding a spear (?) across his body, there is a tree on one side and a bird (stork?) on the other. The warp is undyed; approx. 16x31 tpc, Z-spun. There is a hole in one side, along some of the central floral stripe and there is a diagonal strip of damage across the piece.

The imagery includes a number of elements. The Romans marched under the Eagle standard while for Christians the eagle was a symbol of St John the Evangelist. The huntsmen are dressed so that the battle they fight is mortal and not spiritual with a hunt symbolising an attempt to chase evil our out one's life. The tree may be the Tree of Life, which was a common motif in Coptic art.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Textile Fragment
  • Backing
Materials and techniques
Woven silk
Brief description
Woven silk fragment. Egyptian, ca. AD400-600. Design includes huntsmen on horseback, birds and flora.
Physical description
Woven silk fragment, damaged. The fragment has a green design on undyed silk. It is edged on two sides with a fringe to create selvedge and a bottom border. The design is bordered within a square and on each side there is a row of floral/heart shapes. The design on one side is a mirror image of the other side and in the centre is a vertical row of floral shapes. The design is of a huntsman, with a cloak, on horseback and holding a staff/club held high in one hand. An eagle sits above the horse's head. Below the huntsman is a man dressed in a skirt and holding a spear (?) across his body, there is a tree on one side and a bird (stork?) on the other. The warp is undyed; approx. 16x31 tpc, Z-spun. There is a hole in one side, along some of the central floral stripe and there is a diagonal strip of damage across the piece.
Dimensions
  • Length: 220mm
  • Width: 110mm
Style
Summary
Woven silk fragment, damaged. Egyptian, ca. AD400-600. The fragment has a green design on undyed silk. It is edged on two sides with a fringe to create selvedge and a bottom border. The design is bordered within a square and on each side there is a row of floral/heart shapes. The design on one side is a mirror image of the other side and in the centre is a vertical row of floral shapes. The design is of a huntsman, with a cloak, on horseback and holding a staff/club held high in one hand. An eagle sits above the horse's head. Below the huntsman is a man dressed in a skirt and holding a spear (?) across his body, there is a tree on one side and a bird (stork?) on the other. The warp is undyed; approx. 16x31 tpc, Z-spun. There is a hole in one side, along some of the central floral stripe and there is a diagonal strip of damage across the piece.

The imagery includes a number of elements. The Romans marched under the Eagle standard while for Christians the eagle was a symbol of St John the Evangelist. The huntsmen are dressed so that the battle they fight is mortal and not spiritual with a hunt symbolising an attempt to chase evil our out one's life. The tree may be the Tree of Life, which was a common motif in Coptic art.
Collection
Accession number
2067-1900

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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