Not currently on display at the V&A

Textile Fragment

ca. AD 400-600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Akhmim (made)
Egypt (made)

A wool roundel cut from a linen tunic. Egyptian, ca. AD400-600. Tapestry-woven in purple wool and undyed linen thread. In the centre a naked man is spearing a lion. This image is surrounded by a circle of 15 knops. The linen is stained; 10x14 tpc. The battle between men and animals is thought to symbolise a symbolic struggle for control over nature, although in this instance the imagery of combat against a lion may be inspired instead by the Classical story of Hercules slaying the Nemean lion.


Object details

Categories
Africa
Archaeology
Textiles
Death
Object type
Textile fragment
Materials and techniques
Woven wool on woven linen
Linen
Wool
Weaving
Dyeing
Brief description
A tapestry woven roundel, wool on linen. Egyptian, ca. AD400-600.
Physical description
A wool roundel cut from a linen tunic. Tapestry-woven in purple wool and undyed linen thread. In the centre a naked man is spearing a lion. This image is surrounded by a circle of 15 knops. The linen is stained; 10x14 tpc.
Dimensions
  • Length: 155mm
  • Height: 175mm
  • Roundel diameter: 138mm
Style
Late Antique
Object history
631-1886 to 922-1886 inclusive purchased for £300 from Henry Wallis.
Association
Henry Wallis
Summary
A wool roundel cut from a linen tunic. Egyptian, ca. AD400-600. Tapestry-woven in purple wool and undyed linen thread. In the centre a naked man is spearing a lion. This image is surrounded by a circle of 15 knops. The linen is stained; 10x14 tpc. The battle between men and animals is thought to symbolise a symbolic struggle for control over nature, although in this instance the imagery of combat against a lion may be inspired instead by the Classical story of Hercules slaying the Nemean lion.
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
705-1886

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O368332/textile-fragment-unknown/
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