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

This textile cuff band was woven by a Coptic artist, but its date of production is unknown. Coptic textiles are important because they record the history of late antique Egypt and the transition from Roman rule to the early Islamic period. The Coptic people were native Egyptians and early converts to Christianity. After the Arab conquest of Egypt, they developed a distinctive visual culture. Surviving textiles like this one blend Graeco-Roman and Egyptian motifs, often repurposed with Christian symbolism. Scholars analyze Coptic weavings to understand the exchange of artistic ideas across cultural boundaries and to trace the history of textile production in Egypt. Further research into the origins of these motifs and weaving techniques can help reveal details about trade, religion, and social life in the region. Ultimately, it is through the lens of social and institutional history that we can better appreciate the depth and complexity of Coptic art.