Roundel Arab period (641–969), 9th century

This roundel was made by a Coptic artisan in Egypt using tapestry weaving, though we don’t know exactly when. The imagery on this small textile provides insight into cultural and religious life in Egypt during the early centuries of Christianity. The central cross suggests the Christian faith of the weaver and perhaps the wearer of the garment it adorned. Zoomorphic and vegetal motifs fill the background, alluding to the natural world and perhaps to agricultural abundance. Roundels like this were commonly applied to tunics. The placement of such imagery on clothing speaks to the integration of religious and cultural symbols into daily life, acting as both adornment and a kind of personal expression. Textiles are fragile. What survives tells us much about the owner, the maker, and the cultural values that were literally woven into their creation. Further research into Coptic weaving traditions and early Christian iconography can reveal more about the specific historical and social conditions that gave rise to this roundel.