Cloth Panel thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Cloth Panel

4th century-5th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Fragment of an wool textile, tabby woven in dark blue with a corded edge at one end. The original fabric was likely rectangular. Towards one end is an L-shaped motif embroidered in coloured wools. This contains rows of green and yellow alternating human figures or fish, and rows of swastikas. Each band of decoration is separated from the next by a row of formal ornament based on diamonds shapes. The whole motif is outlined with an S-shaped running scroll and there are decorative devices in the angle of the 'L' and at each end. Above the corded edge are two red bands. There is a selvedge on one side.

The embroidery is carried out in chain stitch with some detached chain stitches and some satin stitches in green, yellow and red wool. The ground is woven in tabby in blue wool for the warp and weft S-spun. The red bands are each made by three shoots of S-spun red wool. The selvedge is on the left hand side. Three cords are woven in tabby, and the weft from the ground is hooked over the inner cord. The cord at the lower edge is of S-spun and S-plied wool, probably made from the loose warp threads at the end of the fabric.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Plain woven wool with wool embroider
Brief description
Fragment of a textile, embroidered wool, Egypt, Qasr Ibrim, 4th - 5th Century
Physical description
Fragment of an wool textile, tabby woven in dark blue with a corded edge at one end. The original fabric was likely rectangular. Towards one end is an L-shaped motif embroidered in coloured wools. This contains rows of green and yellow alternating human figures or fish, and rows of swastikas. Each band of decoration is separated from the next by a row of formal ornament based on diamonds shapes. The whole motif is outlined with an S-shaped running scroll and there are decorative devices in the angle of the 'L' and at each end. Above the corded edge are two red bands. There is a selvedge on one side.

The embroidery is carried out in chain stitch with some detached chain stitches and some satin stitches in green, yellow and red wool. The ground is woven in tabby in blue wool for the warp and weft S-spun. The red bands are each made by three shoots of S-spun red wool. The selvedge is on the left hand side. Three cords are woven in tabby, and the weft from the ground is hooked over the inner cord. The cord at the lower edge is of S-spun and S-plied wool, probably made from the loose warp threads at the end of the fabric.
Dimensions
  • Length: 57in (maximum)
  • Width: 33in (maximum)
Credit line
Given by the Egyptian Exploration Society
Object history
Found at Qasr Ibrim, 1961-1962 excavation season
Collection
Accession number
T.229-1962

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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