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Not on display

Fragment

probably 4th century (made)
Place of origin
Syria (made)
Egypt (made)
Akhmim (found)

Portion of a linen cloth, with a small medallion, tapestry-woven in purple wool and gold thread. A bird and two leafy stems.

The use of gold thread in this class of work is exceedingly rare. The only example in the collection. Formed of strips of gold wound round a silk core.

Object details

Categories
Textiles
Africa
Object type
Fragment
Materials and techniques
Linen
Wool
Gold
Weaving
Brief description
tapestry woven, Egyptian; Egyptian, Byzantine period. "S" wool
Physical description
Portion of a linen cloth, with a small medallion, tapestry-woven in purple wool and gold thread (gold wound around a silk core). A bird and two leafy stems.

The use of gold thread in this class of work is exceedingly rare. The only example in the collection. Formed of strips of gold wound round a silk core.
Dimensions
  • Length: 8.5in
  • Width: 5.5in
  • Of medallion diameter: 2in
Gallery label
(2010)
Golden Bird
About 300-400 AD
Egypt, Akhmim
Gold thread incorporated into this design of a bird was exceedingly rare during the Byzantine Period and was reserved for the wealthy. The gold has been wrapped around a core of silk thread and may have been produced in Syria.
Tapestry woven linen, wool and gold thread
Museum No. 1312-1888
Object history
Purchased from the Reverend Greville John Chester
Production
S-spun wool
Association
Greville Chester
Summary
Portion of a linen cloth, with a small medallion, tapestry-woven in purple wool and gold thread. A bird and two leafy stems.

The use of gold thread in this class of work is exceedingly rare. The only example in the collection. Formed of strips of gold wound round a silk core.
Bibliographic reference
A.F. Kendrick, Catalogue of Textiles from Burying Grounds in Egypt, Vol. I. Graeco-Roman Period (London, 1920): 94 No. 162
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
1312-1888

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O368322/fragment/
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