Catalog Number
|
Catalog Number |
CAS 0389-2428 | |
| Category | Textiles | |
| Object Name | Coptic textile fragment | |
| Culture | Coptic Egyptian | |
| Global Region | North Africa | |
| Country | Egypt | |
| State/Prov./Dist. | ||
| County | ||
| Other Geographic Data | Antinoöpolis (Shaikh Abada aka El Sheik Abara) | |
| Maker's Name | Unknown | |
| Date of Manufacture | ca. 400-500 CE | |
| Collection Name | Rietz Collection of Textiles | |
| Materials | Linen; Wool | |
| Description | “Tunic ornament. The square design is worked in brown on a beige background. The center motif is a small dove framed by a square composed of eight circles, each with a filler motif of an equal-armed cross. Around the edge is a spiral-wave border. The foundation is linen tabby, 12 x 12 [warp : weft per square cm]. The wool and linen tapestry ornament was woven on paired warps, 9 x 60 [warp : weft per square cm]. The square ornament was either made separately or cut from another, possibly worn-out, garment. The edges are turned under and the piece neatly whip-stitched to the linen tabby foundation. All yarn is S-twist. Fifth century. Remarks: Doves, in Early Christian art, symbolize the Holy Ghost and also, because of the dove in the Noah story, deliverance from danger. This piece is a straightforward example of a Coptic textile with a Christian motif. The textiles in this group [DL Carroll # 17-26 (CAS 0389-2379, -2381, -2383, -2387, -2395, -2408A,B, -2418, -2428, -2431, -2587)] are reportedly from Shaikh Abada, or El Sheik Abara - the Arabic name for the site is transliterated variously. The ancient city was named Antinoöpolis after a beautiful Greek youth who drowned near there. It was founded in his memory by the emperor Hadrian around A.D. 13. A major weaving center in antiquity, some of its products have a classical flavor that may derive from Hadrian’s interest in early Greek art. The archaic style of Greece was revived during his reign. Later, in the Christian period, Antinoöpolis became the site of a famous monastery founded by Saint Samuel. While it is impossible to place total reliance on antique dealers’ attributions, the textiles in this group have similarities that make a common source believable. It is assumed that Rietz purchased them as a group, perhaps from a dealer in the vicinity.†[From Looms and Textiles of the Copts by Diane Lee Carroll (San Francisco, CA: Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences, No. 11, 1988); Catalog # 18, pp. 102, 104.] | |
| Dimensions (cm) | Width = 9.5, Length = 19.5 | |