Origin: Egypt, Alexandria Type: Ornamental Band
from a Garment, Period: Late 5th Century
Warp: Material: wool, dark brown, dyed Spin/Ply: 5 spun Density:
19in.
Weft: Material: wool, dyed dark brown, golden-ivory, red, olive,
navy Spin/Ply: 5 spun Density: 48-52in.
Decoration/surface:Material: linen embroidery Spin/Ply: 5 spun
Technique: weft-faced, slit-tapestry, slight warpsharing,
twining, curved wefting
Finishes: side one only: 2 rows countered +3/-2 soumac wrapping;
other outer edge repeated several times; all in dark
brown thick wool; on one remains of progressively thickening warp
cables ending in a twisted fringe of gathered wefts; on
the other thickened warp bundles, an applied heavy twisted warp
cable. Remarks: Humanoid figures, highly stylised animals.
The framing arches forfigures in standing or dancing poses appears
throughout Late Antique and Coptic periods, becoming
more abstracted. The centre medallion with vases may indicate
a shouldfold-over point. The garment may have had a similar
band on the other side.
