Tunic Sleeveband

Accession number	BZ.1953.2.62
Attribution and Date	Egypt, 7th–10th c.
Measurements	H. (warp) 16.0 cm × W. (weft) 25.0 cm (6 5/16 × 9 13/16 in.)
Technique and Material	Tapestry weave in polychrome wool
Acquisition history	Crocker Collection, San Francisco, Mrs. William Henry Crocker (Ethel Willard Sperry Crocker, 1861–1934); Loaned to the San Francisco Museum of Art until 1953; Gift of Mrs. Andre de Limur (Ethel Mary Crocker de Limur, 1891–1964), Washington, DC, in 1953; Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, DC.

This rectangular fragment preserves two parallel bands with spindly plant motifs in tapestry weave in beige, yellow-beige, pink, red, light orange, yellow, green, blue, dark blue, light brown, and tan. The outer borders of the paired bands feature a stepped pattern in many colors. The innermost register depicts circular motifs in the same colors.

The fragment’s shape indicates that it comes from the sleeveband of a tunic. The branches of some of the trees seem to end in animal heads, possibly serpents, who appear to ingest their own tails. The dotted motif at the center of the textile may represent jewels.

—Elizabeth Dospěl Williams, May 2019

Notes

Accession number	BZ.1953.2.62
Attribution and Date	Egypt, 7th–10th c.
Measurements	H. (warp) 16.0 cm × W. (weft) 25.0 cm (6 5/16 × 9 13/16 in.)
Technique and Material	Tapestry weave in polychrome wool
Acquisition history	Crocker Collection, San Francisco, Mrs. William Henry Crocker (Ethel Willard Sperry Crocker, 1861–1934); Loaned to the San Francisco Museum of Art until 1953; Gift of Mrs. Andre de Limur (Ethel Mary Crocker de Limur, 1891–1964), Washington, DC, in 1953; Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, DC.

D. Thompson, “Catalogue of Textiles in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection” (unpublished catalogue, Washington, DC, 1976), no. 107.

D. Thompson, “‘Miniaturization’ as a Design Principle in Late Coptic Textiles of the Islamic Period: Observations on the Classification of Coptic Textiles,” JARCE 22 (1985): fig. 1.

Accession number	BZ.1953.2.62
Attribution and Date	Egypt, 7th–10th c.
Measurements	H. (warp) 16.0 cm × W. (weft) 25.0 cm (6 5/16 × 9 13/16 in.)
Technique and Material	Tapestry weave in polychrome wool
Acquisition history	Crocker Collection, San Francisco, Mrs. William Henry Crocker (Ethel Willard Sperry Crocker, 1861–1934); Loaned to the San Francisco Museum of Art until 1953; Gift of Mrs. Andre de Limur (Ethel Mary Crocker de Limur, 1891–1964), Washington, DC, in 1953; Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, DC.