Textile ArtsCoptic5th-6th century

Large Cover or Shroud

5th-6th century

Description

This large textile in tapestry and loop cloth is decorated with wide bands and panels in purple with dense designs of interlace executed in flying shuttle. At both ends of the textile, there are almost identical purple inscriptions. The beginning and the end of the inscriptions are marked with staurograms. On one end, the inscription is placed between two additional large blue ankhs. On the other end, the inscription is between large blue alphas containing purple crosses and ankhs; this inscription is the same as on the other end except it is missing the upsilon, nu, and the terminal ankh. The large alphas and ankhs on the ends of the textile have been sewn into the covering, as can be seen by the gaps that have developed around them over time. Only one edge of the covering has a red border. Tapestry weave over 2 warps, also with linen loops of sehna knots. Warp: S-spun whitish wool (4-5 double warps per 1 cm). Wefts: S-spun undyed linen, S-spun purple, blue, und., green, red wool.

Classification

Textile Arts

Technique

Woven, tapestry weave

Medium

Wool and linen

Culture

Coptic

Period

Byzantine period

Century

5th-6th century