Author
Unknown
Publication Place
Egypt (made) -
Subject
Mary Christ Child Nativity
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 47cm, Width: 92.5cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
1103-1900
Record ID
1103-1900
Library Location
Middle East Section
Notes
This resist dyed panel is one of a group of textiles found in Akhmîm and Antinoë and now held by many different museums. A number of those which were found were already old when they were used to pad out mummy wrappings. The choice and disposition of the subject reflect both the tradition of late Roman art and the newer innovations taking place in the Eastern Roman Empire. The couch on which the Virgin reclines and her comfortable pose are typical of a Roman matron, and the rectangular form of the scene is reminiscent of the side of a sarcophagus, even to the columns at the corners. A few lines to the far right indicate the presence of the ox and the ass above the raised crib, itself not unlike a Roman altar. This presumably contained the Christ Child.
Sample Text
MAPIATranslationMariaNoteTo the right of the head of the Virgin., Transliteration,
Tarihsel bağlam
A number of these printed textiles which were found were already old when they were used to pad out mummy wrappings.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Resist dyed linen, plain woven Linen (Material) Plain Weave Resist Dyeing
Fiziksel açıklama
Resist dyed linen, with indigo, showing the Nativity scene. An angel stands to the left, facing Mary, who is reclining on a couch in the centre. Between the angel and the Virgin is the Greek cross, and to the left of the angel is the monogrammatic cross (a combination of the Greek letter P with the symbol for cross). To the right of the Virgin's head is a damaged inscription: MAPIA (Maria) and a star. The remains of the ox and ass to the far right, above the raised cribb which presumably contained the Christ Child. The left side is bounded by a spirally-fluted column and along the top is a straight band with a row circles enclosing conventional blossoms.
Üretim
Found in Akhmîm, Upper Egypt.
