Origin: Egypt
Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD
Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide
Collection: Egyptian
Style: Coptic
Medium: Textile
For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This exquisite clothing applique, worked in red, white, green, olive and black, depicts the Tree of Life, one of the oldest and most popular images in the Middle East. Then as now, this abstract tree represents the joy of life. In the modern world, we share our pleasure with whoever wore it centuries ago. - (PF.2117)

Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian