Author: Elżbieta Jastrzębowska | Pages: 339–345
Abstract
This is a comparison of two fragments of Egyptian textiles from the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw (90.5 x 63cm) and from the possessions of the Archaeological Museum in Kraków (28 x 27cm). Both textiles are fragments of linen tunic with bands (clavi) of decoration made of color wool, typical of the front or of the sleeve of the ancient dress of this kind. The clavi on the Warsaw piece have a row of round medallions with six of the labours of Heracles repeated twice. The two clavi on the Kraków fragment are not only different in size, but also bear different decoration showing two medallions in black squares with human heads (smaller clavus) and two Bible scenes inside rectangles (larger clavus). Author supports the interpretation of Renate Pillinger, who identified in one of the Bible scenes the figure of Adam as the guardian of animals and plants in paradise (fish, two little trees, two birds and one quadruped). In the second and less clear scene one could see possibly the Father, as Christ, speaking to Adam. Both longer clavi on the Warsaw piece and on the Kraków fragment have similar borders of the figural representations with a scrolling unidentified vine with curling tripartite leaves and as they were purchased in Cairo, during or shortly after the World War II, they may have come from the same source. Any way, in view of their late date – eighth century AD, the tunics were part of what must have been worn by Christians. The decoration of the tunic, which was nearest to the body of the wearer, exemplifies the wearer’s dearest values, hence the presence of the figures of Heracles and Adam could indicate personal acceptance and admiration for these particular heroes and the values and traits that they represented. This at a time when Egypt was ruled by the Arabs, although Christians still constituted the core of the population.