Tapestry with Apotropaic Knot
5th century
This apotropaic knot, woven in deep purple, is one of the most stunning examples of interlace found in the Tellalian Collection.
Such apotropaic patterns were woven and worn as protective devices, intended to ward off wicked spirits or evil eyes. Perhaps this knot graced the tunic of a particularly cautious individual, or was part of a larger tapestry wall-hanging meant to protect the house (and its inhabitants) in which it was hung. It is thought that Egyptian interlace patterns were significant influences on the development of similar interlace designs found in early medieval illuminated manuscripts produced throughout western Europe.
Interlace knotwork and similar geometric patterning are common features of textiles from this period. Compare to fragment 4783 in the Coptic Museum in Cairo.
Artwork Details
Title:
Tapestry with Apotropaic Knot
Date:
5th century
Geography:
Egypt
Classification:
Textile
Materials:
Linen
Dimensions:
28.5 x 14.5 cm (11.25 x 5.75 in)
Repository:
McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Accession Number:
McMullen 2018.12
Tellalian Number:
Tellalian 1982-00100
Donor:
Barbara and Donald Tellalian
Provenance:
Purchased from Nanette R. Kelekian on 10 November 1982. Previously in possession of Charles Dikran Kelekian, Ancient Arts, New York, NY. Provenance unknown prior to Kelekian family.
Exhibition History:
McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College. Roman in the Provinces: Art on the Periphery of Empire, 14 February - 31 May 2015. https://www.bc.edu/sites/artmuseum/exhibitions/rip/
Publication History:
Nicgorski, Ann M. “The Fate of Serapis: A Paradigm for Transformations in the Culture and Art of Late Roman Egypt.” In Roman in the Provinces: Art on the Periphery of Empire, edited by Lisa R. Brody and Gail L. Hoffman, 153–66, plate 150. Boston College: McMullen Museum of Art, distributed by the University of Chicago Press, 2014.
Conservation History:
Unknown month, 1983: Donald Tellalian -- vacuum, wet wash with 1/2 teaspoon igepal/one gallon distilled water, three rinses and drying on glass. August, 1983: Textile Conservation Center, North Andover, MA.