Border Ayyubid period (1171–1250)/Mamluk period (1250–1517), 13/14th century

This textile border, crafted by Coptic artisans, features a series of geometric patterns rendered in deep red against a neutral ground. Dominating the design are interconnected diamond shapes, symbols of protection and cosmic order, alongside stylized floral or vegetal motifs, evoking themes of fertility and renewal. The diamond, or lozenge, echoes across cultures, from ancient Greece to the Far East, often representing the female principle or the eye, warding off evil. The plant motif is just as universal. The border becomes a potent reminder of the enduring human desire to impose order on chaos, to find solace in nature's cycles, and to safeguard against unseen forces. It resonates within us because it touches upon the fundamental anxieties and hopes that persist across time, reminding us of our shared inheritance and the cyclical nature of human experience. The image serves as a testament to the uncanny ability of symbols to transcend their original contexts, resurfacing and evolving in form, yet retaining their emotive power.