Fragment, ornament from a tunic, plain woven linen and tapestry woven linen and wool, possibly Akhmim, Egypt, 4th Century - 6th Century

A square tapestry panel, possibly from a tunic, woven in purple wool and undyed linen. Large areas of the surrounding plain woven linen ground fabric remain. There are three selfbands running across the ground fabric, each of three linen threads. The dabric is stained and has some holes.

The decoration of the panel, dark on light, consists of a central medallion containing a rabbit, itself within a square with floral forms (spade-shaped leaves) at each corner. This is surrounded by a pattern border of alternating knots and medallions. The whole is bordered by a square border of running wave-form pattern. Details are picked out in flying thread brocading in undyed linen thred.

Plain weave:
Linen warp (S-spun, 24/cm)
Linen weft (S-spun, 14-16/cm)

Tapestry weave:
Linen warp (S-spun, 3/3)
Wool weft (Z-spun)
Linen weft (S-spun)

631-1886 to 922-1886 inclusive purchased for £300 from Henry Wallis.

A square panel woven in wool and part of a linen cloth. Egypt, possibly Akhmim, ca. AD300-600. Some slit tapestry. The linen is undyed; plain weave; approx. 14x22 tpc (sys 1 x sys 2); s-spun; thread dia. approx. 0.5mm. There are three pronounced lines across the linen, formed by three linen threads being woven together. The panel is 120mm x 120mm and woven in undyed and purple/maroon wool. At the centre is a rabbit in a circle. It is within a square with floral icons (spade shaped leaves) in each corner. This is bordered with a form of guilloche with eight circles containing interlaced decoration. The circles are placed with one in each corner and one half way between. The panel is bordered with scrolling waves. The fabric is stained and has some holes.

702-1886