Tunic thumbnail 1
Tunic thumbnail 2
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Not on display

Tunic

600-900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Linen tunic, with roundels and shoulder-bands tapestry-woven in coloured wools and undyed linen thread on linen warps. Two roundels on the shoulders and two on the front remain. All alike contain scenes in the Story of the Patriarch Joseph. In the middle, in a small circle, is Joseph's Dream; he lies asleep: above him are the sheaves. Around are various scenes in his life, among which the following may be identified: - He is sent to his brethren by his father; he is put in the well; he is sold to the Midianites; the departure of the Midianites. The shoulder-bands contain repetitions of the same scenes, with other groups as well. The two pendent ovals, still preserved on one side of the tunic, each enclose a group of figures. The background is red. The borders all around consist of heart-shaped blossoms and leaves on a white ground, edged with geometrical ornament in polychrome. One of the two neck-borders has a horseman spearing an animal and another horseman below. The tapestry threads of the other border have mostly perished.
The sleeves and the two roundels and pendents on one side of the tunic are missing.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
linen and tapestry-woven linen and wool
Brief description
linen, 600s-800s, Egyptian; Applied bands and roundels tapestry woven in wool, story of Joseph
Physical description
Linen tunic, with roundels and shoulder-bands tapestry-woven in coloured wools and undyed linen thread on linen warps. Two roundels on the shoulders and two on the front remain. All alike contain scenes in the Story of the Patriarch Joseph. In the middle, in a small circle, is Joseph's Dream; he lies asleep: above him are the sheaves. Around are various scenes in his life, among which the following may be identified: - He is sent to his brethren by his father; he is put in the well; he is sold to the Midianites; the departure of the Midianites. The shoulder-bands contain repetitions of the same scenes, with other groups as well. The two pendent ovals, still preserved on one side of the tunic, each enclose a group of figures. The background is red. The borders all around consist of heart-shaped blossoms and leaves on a white ground, edged with geometrical ornament in polychrome. One of the two neck-borders has a horseman spearing an animal and another horseman below. The tapestry threads of the other border have mostly perished.
The sleeves and the two roundels and pendents on one side of the tunic are missing.
Dimensions
  • Length: 6ft
  • Width: 32in
  • Of roundels diameter: 9in
  • Of shoulder bands width: 4in
  • Length: 180.5cm (max length of backing fabric)
  • Width: 102cm (max width of backing fabric)
Object history
270-1886 to 273-1886 inclusive purchased for £3 from Henry Wallis.
Association
Summary
Linen tunic, with roundels and shoulder-bands tapestry-woven in coloured wools and undyed linen thread on linen warps. Two roundels on the shoulders and two on the front remain. All alike contain scenes in the Story of the Patriarch Joseph. In the middle, in a small circle, is Joseph's Dream; he lies asleep: above him are the sheaves. Around are various scenes in his life, among which the following may be identified: - He is sent to his brethren by his father; he is put in the well; he is sold to the Midianites; the departure of the Midianites. The shoulder-bands contain repetitions of the same scenes, with other groups as well. The two pendent ovals, still preserved on one side of the tunic, each enclose a group of figures. The background is red. The borders all around consist of heart-shaped blossoms and leaves on a white ground, edged with geometrical ornament in polychrome. One of the two neck-borders has a horseman spearing an animal and another horseman below. The tapestry threads of the other border have mostly perished.
The sleeves and the two roundels and pendents on one side of the tunic are missing.
Collection
Accession number
271-1886

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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