5th-6th century
Two tapestry woven fragments originating from the same textile. Red and dark-dyed wool and undyed linen wefts are woven on undyed linen warps. Both fragments feature the same geometric designs: a red field containing red palmette-based designs outlined in black and a black rolling wave that borders this red field. The buff background behind the waves was likely the color of the fabric’s ground, as most fabrics of this period have an undyed linen ground decorated with colored bands, medallions, or other designs. A rounded edge appears at the top of one of the red sections, along which the black wave continues to scroll. The other fragment shows a 90-degree angle turn in the design. Supplementary weft wrapping in a red wool thread suggests long red lines parallel to the warp direction.
8.5 × 6 cm (3 3/8 × 2 3/8 in.) 5.1 × 9.8 cm (2 × 3 7/8 in.)
Irregular twill weave in cotton fibers
20th centuryCroatianSilk lampas
17th centuryItalianWool pile
16th centuryPersianCut velvet and satin
19th-20th centuryEuropean?Tapestry, linen and wool
EgyptianSilk
ChineseLinen
Japanese