Textile fragment with chevrons and interlacing scrolls
On display
Details
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Title
Textile fragment with chevrons and interlacing scrolls
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Associated place
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Date
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Material and technique
linen, embroidered with blue cotton
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Material index
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Technique index
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Object type
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Dimensions
27 x 8.5 cm max. (length x width)
along length/width 24 / 24 threads/cm (thread count)
ground fabric 0.05 cm max. (thread diameter)
ground fabric 0.01 cm min. (thread diameter)
additional fibre, embroidery 0.05 cm (thread diameter) -
No. of items
1
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Credit line
Presented by Professor Percy Newberry, 1941.
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Museum location
Lower ground floor | Gallery 5 | Textiles -
Museum department
Eastern Art
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Accession no.
EA1984.168
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Catalogue text
A band of wide chevrons contains a meander strip; the chevrons have small crescents at their peaks. Additional ?crescent-shapes are set between the chevrons. Parallel to the chevron band is a narrow border with scrolling interlace.
In: Barnes, Ruth and Marianne Ellis, ‘The Newberry Collection of Islamic Embroideries’, 4 vols, 2001, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum
The pattern for this zigzag band is the same as one of those recorded on sampler No.24 [EA1984.490]. When the two are compared, it becomes clear how much threaded outlines have added to the visual impact of this fascinating embroidered band. Although the band is composed of geometric S- and Z-shapes linked to diamonds, there is a feeling of movement, almost that of a twisted ribbon. Precisely the same pattern appears on a much later embroidery, also with the design in reserve, which is attributed to the Greek Islands (see Symonds and Preece, Needlework through the Ages). This is one of several examples which suggest a definite link between Mamluk and later Greek Island needlework.
In: Ellis, Marianne, Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, in association with Greenville: Curious Works Press, 2001)
Further reading
Barnes, Ruth and Marianne Ellis, ‘The Newberry Collection of Islamic Embroideries’, 4 vols, 2001, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, vol. ii, vol. i
Ellis, Marianne, Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, in association with Greenville: Curious Works Press, 2001), no. 26 on p. 42, p. 9, illus. p. 42
