Fragment Roman period (30 B.C.– 641 A.D.), 5th/6th century

This linen and wool fragment was made by a Coptic artist in Egypt. The piece is decorated with stylized animal and floral motifs. Coptic textiles like this one offer us a glimpse into the cultural and religious landscape of Egypt during the Roman and early Byzantine periods. The Copts were Egyptian Christians, and their art often blended Christian and ancient Egyptian imagery. The motifs seen here are not explicitly religious, but they reflect a broader cultural aesthetic. Textiles were highly valued in Coptic society, and weaving was a significant industry. These textiles weren't just functional; they were powerful indicators of status and identity. To understand this fragment fully, scholars would look to archaeological records, religious texts, and studies of textile production of the period. Through that kind of interdisciplinary research, we can reveal the complex social dynamics that shaped this work.