Coptic
Fragment of Hanging or Curtain with Bird and Buds
Coptic, 301-700
Scroll
Coptic
Fragment of Hanging or Curtain with Bird and Buds
Coptic, 301-700
Physical Qualities
Linen, wool, 9-7/8 x 9-1/2 in. (25.1 x 24.1 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dena S. Katzenberg, Baltimore
Object Number
1985.234
Birds often appear in Coptic textiles, particularly on large-scale examples. The size and orientation of the bird on this natural-colored, plain-woven linen and its placement above a 2” wide stripe filled with multicolored buds seems to indicate that it was part of a curtain or large hanging. The bird’s gold- and brown-checkered body and green wings outlined in red and gold are remarkably bright. However, the head is in surprisingly poor condition as only the linen warps survive. It is possible that this portion was woven in a yarn that disintegrated due to the dye used to color it.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift 1985; Dena S. Katzenberg, Baltimore, MD.
Timeless Weft: Ancient Tapestries and the Art of Louise B. Wheatley
Hoskins, Nancy Arthur. The Coptic Tapestry Albums and the Archaeologist of Antinoe, Albert Gayet. Eugene, OR: Skein Publications, 2004, pp.68-69, Plate 13, pp.73-76, Plate 16, pp.77-79, Plate 17, pp. 82-83, Plate 19, pp.83-84, Plate 20, pp. 85-88, Plate 21, pp. 88-90, Plate 22, pp. 94-97, Plates 26-27, pp. 118-120, Plate 38, pp.134-135, Plates 44-45, Plate 48.
Kybalova, Ludmila. Coptic Textiles. London: Paul Hamlyn, 1967, pp.80-81, ill. 28., pp.84-85, ills. 34-35.
Maguire, Eunice Dauterman. The Rich Life and The Dance: Weavings From Roman,Byzantine and Islamic Egypt. Urbana-Champaign: Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois, cat. A27, p.71; cat. A28, p. 72.
Rutschowscaya, Marie-Hélène. Coptic Fabrics. Paris, France: A. Biro, 1990, p.9, pp.144-145.
Kybalova, Ludmila. Coptic Textiles. London: Paul Hamlyn, 1967, pp.80-81, ill. 28., pp.84-85, ills. 34-35.
Maguire, Eunice Dauterman. The Rich Life and The Dance: Weavings From Roman,Byzantine and Islamic Egypt. Urbana-Champaign: Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois, cat. A27, p.71; cat. A28, p. 72.
Rutschowscaya, Marie-Hélène. Coptic Fabrics. Paris, France: A. Biro, 1990, p.9, pp.144-145.
