Fragment from a Coptic Hanging

Not on view


Mounted riders, woven in black wool, race across this textile with their hunting dogs. Nude and harnessed, the men hold stones and bows. Men on horseback have traditionally represented symbols of political, military, or religious power. The other figures in the textile, winged women and an additional rider, were woven with pink and white threads. Diverse figures appeared in various media in late antique art across the Mediterranean basin and northern Africa, but the purpose of marking skin-color differences in this material is unknown. Overall, the themes of the textile point to victory, success, and prosperity.

Audio Guide 541

Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave

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Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave
Fragment from a Coptic Hanging, Linen, wool; plain weave, tapestry-weave

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