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Not currently on display at the V&A

Tunic

6th century (made)
Place of origin

Woollen tunic, tapestry-woven throughout, with ornaments woven in purple wool and undyed linen thread. The short shoulder-bands, reaching to the waist, contain interlacing foliated stems and standing human figures. The double cuff-band (only one preserved) has rows of animals. The neck-band remains on one side only; it consists of animals and seated figures in an arcade, with floral ornament, animals and a bust above, and a row of arches below, each containing a floral device. The square panels, on the shoulder and near the lower edge, each enclose a circle containing a human figure or an animal surrounded by animals, busts and floral forms. At the lower edge is a horizontal band returning vertically at each side, where it ends in a leaf-shaped panel attached to a stem; it contains animals and floral forms.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
linen, 500s, Egyptian; Purple bands with animals
Physical description
Woollen tunic, tapestry-woven throughout, with ornaments woven in purple wool and undyed linen thread. The short shoulder-bands, reaching to the waist, contain interlacing foliated stems and standing human figures. The double cuff-band (only one preserved) has rows of animals. The neck-band remains on one side only; it consists of animals and seated figures in an arcade, with floral ornament, animals and a bust above, and a row of arches below, each containing a floral device. The square panels, on the shoulder and near the lower edge, each enclose a circle containing a human figure or an animal surrounded by animals, busts and floral forms. At the lower edge is a horizontal band returning vertically at each side, where it ends in a leaf-shaped panel attached to a stem; it contains animals and floral forms.
Very dilapidated; at the bottom there remain two only of the squares and part of one band.
Dimensions
  • Of panel length: 5in
  • Of panel width: 5in
  • Of panel width: 2.5in
Object history
270-1886 to 273-1886 inclusive purchased for £3 from Henry Wallis.
Association
Summary
Woollen tunic, tapestry-woven throughout, with ornaments woven in purple wool and undyed linen thread. The short shoulder-bands, reaching to the waist, contain interlacing foliated stems and standing human figures. The double cuff-band (only one preserved) has rows of animals. The neck-band remains on one side only; it consists of animals and seated figures in an arcade, with floral ornament, animals and a bust above, and a row of arches below, each containing a floral device. The square panels, on the shoulder and near the lower edge, each enclose a circle containing a human figure or an animal surrounded by animals, busts and floral forms. At the lower edge is a horizontal band returning vertically at each side, where it ends in a leaf-shaped panel attached to a stem; it contains animals and floral forms.
Collection
Accession number
270-1886

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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