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Coptic Textiles: Rotating Works That Are Fragile and Light Sensitive
Because textiles are particularly light sensitive, they should not be on constant display. The CMA balances the display of these materials with their long-term preservation by rotating the textile objects on view in the galleries. A specific case in point involves two large-scale Coptic textiles in the collection that are or will be displayed in the gallery of Byzantine and Early Christian Art (Gallery 210).
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The two textiles are Icon of the Virgin (1967.144), dating from the 6th c. AD, and Maenad & Satyr (1975.6), dating from the 2nd to the 4th century AD. Icon of the Virgin is woven of wool dyed a variety of colors, while Maenad & Satyr multi-colored dyed wool as well as undyed linen.
Because the Museum does not own a large body of monumental Coptic textiles from which to compile many rotations, these two works will be rotated with each other on a six-month basis. In the Spring of 2001 Icon of the Virgin will come off view and Maenad & Satyr will hang in its place. While not an ideal solution, it is one that will allow museum visitors to see important works while fulfilling the Museum's mandate to seek to preserve collections for future generations.
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Both of these works appear to be in fairly good condition, though both are stitched to modern mounting fabrics, so we cannot be certain about the extent of dye fading from light exposure. By examining the backs of the textiles, the degree of dye fading will be evident in comparison to the front surface of the textiles.
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Page 11 of 13 | On the next page:
Faience and Frits: Understanding Materials and Techniques in Ancient Egypt
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