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

Textile Fragment

ca. 300-600AD (made)
Place of origin

A fragment of decorative cuff band from a larger linen cloth. The larger cloth is a plain weave , gauze, of undyed cream linen. On either side of a decorative tapestry band there are three bands (between 6-13mm wide) created from the use of a golden linen for the weft. Each of these bands starts/ends with a double weft. The tapestry band uses a variety of coloured wools (dark blue, pink, light blue, yellow, white, green, red,pink, purple) to create a complete pattern. There are geometric stacks at each end and in the middle there is a band of yellow with a curved line of a different colour and dots either side of it. On either side of this band are bands of light blue also with curved lines in a different colour, and shaped either side of the line. The two long edges of the band have dark blue and yellow lines. Three sides of this fragment have been folded under to make a rectangle with the fabric and there are stitch holes to suggest it was sewn to something else (in antiquity or modern?). The other edge has been folded over (upwards) and a hem created. The edge, and 10mm inwards, have been sewn down with 2 ply strings of dark blue S twisted threads and undyed linen Z twisted threads. They are sewn down with light blue, 2 ply Z, threads in a whip stitch. The remains of these strings are still attached.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
A tapestry woven decorative band on a linen cloth, Egyptian, ca. 300-600AD.
Physical description
A fragment of decorative cuff band from a larger linen cloth. The larger cloth is a plain weave , gauze, of undyed cream linen. On either side of a decorative tapestry band there are three bands (between 6-13mm wide) created from the use of a golden linen for the weft. Each of these bands starts/ends with a double weft. The tapestry band uses a variety of coloured wools (dark blue, pink, light blue, yellow, white, green, red,pink, purple) to create a complete pattern. There are geometric stacks at each end and in the middle there is a band of yellow with a curved line of a different colour and dots either side of it. On either side of this band are bands of light blue also with curved lines in a different colour, and shaped either side of the line. The two long edges of the band have dark blue and yellow lines. Three sides of this fragment have been folded under to make a rectangle with the fabric and there are stitch holes to suggest it was sewn to something else (in antiquity or modern?). The other edge has been folded over (upwards) and a hem created. The edge, and 10mm inwards, have been sewn down with 2 ply strings of dark blue S twisted threads and undyed linen Z twisted threads. They are sewn down with light blue, 2 ply Z, threads in a whip stitch. The remains of these strings are still attached.
Dimensions
  • Width: 300mm
  • Height: 200mm
Credit line
Given by H.M. Kennard, Esq.
Association
Summary
A fragment of decorative cuff band from a larger linen cloth. The larger cloth is a plain weave , gauze, of undyed cream linen. On either side of a decorative tapestry band there are three bands (between 6-13mm wide) created from the use of a golden linen for the weft. Each of these bands starts/ends with a double weft. The tapestry band uses a variety of coloured wools (dark blue, pink, light blue, yellow, white, green, red,pink, purple) to create a complete pattern. There are geometric stacks at each end and in the middle there is a band of yellow with a curved line of a different colour and dots either side of it. On either side of this band are bands of light blue also with curved lines in a different colour, and shaped either side of the line. The two long edges of the band have dark blue and yellow lines. Three sides of this fragment have been folded under to make a rectangle with the fabric and there are stitch holes to suggest it was sewn to something else (in antiquity or modern?). The other edge has been folded over (upwards) and a hem created. The edge, and 10mm inwards, have been sewn down with 2 ply strings of dark blue S twisted threads and undyed linen Z twisted threads. They are sewn down with light blue, 2 ply Z, threads in a whip stitch. The remains of these strings are still attached.
Collection
Accession number
321-1889

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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