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Tunic
Egyptian
Late Roman
1st–4th century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Linen and wool; tapestry
Dimensions
Height x width: 83 1/4 x 85 1/2 in. (211.5 x 217.2 cm)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number01.8366
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsDocumentation
DescriptionThe principal garment worn by everyone in the Late Roman and Early Byzantine period was this shirt-like tunic. This tunic is decorated with: two large roundels (orbiculi) on each shoulder; two clavi bands, each starting on each side of the neck opening; armbands composed by two separate bands on each sleeve; a continuous gammadion on the bottom part of the tunic terminating upwards with clavi on each side; and two smaller orbiculi on the bottom of the tunic. All roundels and bands are decorated with knot and interlace patterns. Knot and interlace designs were considered apotropaic patterns and were among the most frequent motifs during the third to sixth centuries. The tunic’s length and width as well as modes of adornment vary according to trends of the period as well as the rank, age, gender and taste of the wearer.
Linen and wool tapestry. The ground is plum-colored wool, and the tracery designs of linen.
Linen and wool tapestry. The ground is plum-colored wool, and the tracery designs of linen.