Fragment of a Furnishing (?) with Vegetal Motifs and Geometric Interlace

Tapestry weave of dyed wools and undyed (?) wool, plain (tabby) ground weave of undyed linen, H. 29 cm; W. 44 cm. Egypt, ca. 4th–7th century CE. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase by subscription, 1889 (89.18.252). This fragment is made of silk and dyed with Tyrian purple, or Royal purple, or Imperial purple, a rare and expensive dye that was considered a status symbol and restricted for the elite. The use of this dye enhanced the expression of prosperity, and perhaps, its invocation as well.

Tapestry weave of dyed wools and undyed (?) wool, plain (tabby) ground weave of undyed linen, H. 29 cm; W. 44 cm. Egypt, ca. 4th–7th century CE. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase by subscription, 1889 (89.18.252).

This fragment is made of silk and dyed with Tyrian purple, or Royal purple, or Imperial purple, a rare and expensive dye that was considered a status symbol and restricted for the elite. The use of this dye enhanced the expression of prosperity, and perhaps, its invocation as well.