Roundel
7th Century - 8th Century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The scene on this embroidery represents two episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The first is the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary to inform her that she would conceive and become mother to Jesus. The second is the Visitation, when Mary (pregnant with Jesus) and her relative Elisabeth (pregnant with John the Baptist) meet and embrace.
This piece is one of three embroidered roundels (panels used to decorative a tunic) with Christian scenes in the V&A, probably from the same linen tunic. It is likely that the the tunic belonged to a priest of the Coptic church (the Christian sect in Egypt), although there was no differentiation in the style of tunics worn by priests and laymen.
This piece is one of three embroidered roundels (panels used to decorative a tunic) with Christian scenes in the V&A, probably from the same linen tunic. It is likely that the the tunic belonged to a priest of the Coptic church (the Christian sect in Egypt), although there was no differentiation in the style of tunics worn by priests and laymen.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Plain woven linen with silk embroidery |
| Brief description | Round panel depicting the Annunciation and Visitation, linen embroidered with coloured silk, Egypt, 7th - 8th Century |
| Physical description | Rounded from a linen tunic, embroidered with coloured silks, representing the Annunciation and Visitation. A fragment of the surrounding plain woven, undyed linen tunic remains. The Virgin is seated in a small domed building, in a striped dress decorated with gold stars, spinning with a basket before her. The angel Gabriel stands in front of Mary, holding a staff with a cross at the top. The entire sequence of scenes is surrounded by a floral border. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | V&A objects 813-1903 to 820-1903 inclusive purchased for £80 from Monsiuer L. Paul Philip, Cairo. |
| Production | Embroidery is relatively uncommon amongst Late Antique Egyptian textiles. It is possible that this piece was imported or embroidered by a non-Egyptian. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | The scene on this embroidery represents two episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The first is the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary to inform her that she would conceive and become mother to Jesus. The second is the Visitation, when Mary (pregnant with Jesus) and her relative Elisabeth (pregnant with John the Baptist) meet and embrace. This piece is one of three embroidered roundels (panels used to decorative a tunic) with Christian scenes in the V&A, probably from the same linen tunic. It is likely that the the tunic belonged to a priest of the Coptic church (the Christian sect in Egypt), although there was no differentiation in the style of tunics worn by priests and laymen. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Miller, Lesley Ellis, and Ana Cabrera Lafuente, with Claire Allen-Johnstone, eds. Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2021. ISBN 978-0-500-48065-6.
This object features in the publication Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion (2021) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 814-1903 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 17, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
