The EmbroideressMonday, May 21, 2007
Coptic Textiles
As I recently wrote, Egyptian textiles fascinate me because of their cultural diversity. One of the most prolific producers of textiles in Egypt have been the Coptic communities and workshops.
Very early on these artisans formed professional workshops and produced textiles for both the domestic and export markets. They produced export textiles in various styles to please their international customers and wove humble garments for their local communities.
The California Academy of Sciences, Department of Anthropology has a well presented site featuring their history and collections.
Click on the link to their Coptic Textiles Collection and you will find sections covering history of the Copts, weaving technology, stylistic groups, etc.
A good, concise presentation that makes an excellent introduction to these textiles.
Very early on these artisans formed professional workshops and produced textiles for both the domestic and export markets. They produced export textiles in various styles to please their international customers and wove humble garments for their local communities.
The California Academy of Sciences, Department of Anthropology has a well presented site featuring their history and collections.
Click on the link to their Coptic Textiles Collection and you will find sections covering history of the Copts, weaving technology, stylistic groups, etc.
A good, concise presentation that makes an excellent introduction to these textiles.
Labels: Coptic textiles, Egyptian Textile History, Weaving history
Comments:
Remind me to take you to the local Rosacrucian Museum when you are here. They had some lovely coptic bits out when I was there last.
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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Ancient Egypt Textiles
I'm known to complain about the lack of respect afforded textiles by archaeologists in the past. Modern practitioners are an improved lot however and treasure those grubby little rags and scraps found at a dig.
Archaeology has long been a major industry in what is modern Egypt. And finds range from pre-historic to objects from modern conflicts. Egypt has been conquered and re-cultured so many times it is hard to keep track of the civilizations that have influenced textiles found there. To add to the diversity, Egypt has been a trading hub from time immemorial.
The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, of the University of Michigan - Historic Textiles from Egypt shares some of their collection of Egyptian textiles from the Pharaonic, Roman and Byzantine, and later Islamic periods of Egypt's pre-modern history. Their virtual gallery leads to presentations of past exhibits (1990's). Only three exhibits are currently available but hopefully they will continue to complete the site with images from other exhibits. I'm particularly interested in seeing the needlework exhibit.
From Riches to Rags: Indian Block-Printed Textiles Traded to Egypt is an exhibit rich in graphics and documentation.
The Early Islamic Inscribed Textiles offers only a few graphics but it is worthwhile.
Reconstructing Personal style in Late Antiquityhas interesting documentation but unfortunately rather murky illustrations of some of the items from the collection.
Archaeology has long been a major industry in what is modern Egypt. And finds range from pre-historic to objects from modern conflicts. Egypt has been conquered and re-cultured so many times it is hard to keep track of the civilizations that have influenced textiles found there. To add to the diversity, Egypt has been a trading hub from time immemorial.
The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, of the University of Michigan - Historic Textiles from Egypt shares some of their collection of Egyptian textiles from the Pharaonic, Roman and Byzantine, and later Islamic periods of Egypt's pre-modern history. Their virtual gallery leads to presentations of past exhibits (1990's). Only three exhibits are currently available but hopefully they will continue to complete the site with images from other exhibits. I'm particularly interested in seeing the needlework exhibit.
From Riches to Rags: Indian Block-Printed Textiles Traded to Egypt is an exhibit rich in graphics and documentation.
The Early Islamic Inscribed Textiles offers only a few graphics but it is worthwhile.
Reconstructing Personal style in Late Antiquityhas interesting documentation but unfortunately rather murky illustrations of some of the items from the collection.
Labels: Costume history, Egyptian Textile History, Indian Textile History, Textile Collections
Comments:
Wow! What a beautiful way to start my day. Thanks for this link. I´ll be looking forward to needlework exhibit too.
Greetings from Mexico
Marissa
:)
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Greetings from Mexico
Marissa
:)
