Fragment from a Coptic Hanging
Unknown Artist
5th century
Medium
Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Dimensions
Textile: L. 40 15/16 in. (104 cm) W. 24 13/16 in. (63 cm) Mount: L. 46 1/4 in. (117.5 cm) W. 31 1/8 in. (79.1 cm) D. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm) Wt. 30 lbs. (13.6 kg)
Classification
Textiles-Rugs
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.905
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fragment from a Coptic*, dating to the 5th, offers a glimpse into the vibrant traditions of early Christian Egypt. Crafted from linen and wool using plain weave for the sturdy ground fabric and tapestry weave for intricate motifs, it exemplifies the technical mastery of Coptic weavers. The discontinuous weft technique in tapestry weave allowed for bold, colorful patterns—likely featuring dynamic horses, as suggested by the artwork's tags—without wasting precious yarn. At over 40 inches long, this substantial fragment was probably part of a larger hanging used to adorn homes, ch...