The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 15, 2026

A rectangular wool and linen textile fragment features weathered tan fabric with dark brown tapestry designs. Two vertical bands of circular medallions run down the center, flanked by fringed circular shapes. The fabric has frayed edges and multiple holes. At the bottom, a square frame with a vine pattern encloses a figure's bust with dark curly hair and large eyes facing forward against a dark brown background.

Neck and Shoulder Decoration from a Tunic

late 400s - 500s

Egypt, Byzantine period

plain weave with slit-tapestry weave and supplementary weft wrapping; dyed wool, undyed linen
Overall: 14.3 x 35.6 cm (5 5/8 x 14 in.); Mounted: 22.9 x 43.2 cm (9 x 17 in.)
Gift of George D. Pratt 1926.148
Location: Not on view

Description

This tunic fragment with a straight neck opening in the center and one surviving shoulder square may have symbolically protected the wearer from danger. This is suggested by interlacing knots. These delicate decorations in small deep purple discs alternate with human busts in roundels.
  • Coptic Textile Rotation Gallery 106. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (November 13, 2023-November 10, 2024).
    Byzantine Gallery 210 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 2, 2001-October 15, 2002).
    Beyond the Pharoahs: Egypt and the Copts in the 2nd to 7th Centuries, A.D. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI (February 10-April 16, 1989); Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD (May 17-July 15, 1989).
  • {{cite web|title=Neck and Shoulder Decoration from a Tunic|url=false|author=|year=late 400s - 500s|access-date=15 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1926.148