Ancient Egyptian hair net from Illahun dated AD 395 – 642

Sprang hair net. Bag, plaited in red wool with purple stripes and purple interlacing lines. The purple stripes are decorated with a line of pale yellow spots and lozenges on a green ground. These may represent lines of precious stones. Top edging of heavy plaited purple wool. Closing cord of green, red and yellow. Bottom cord of red and green.

Ancient Egyptian hair net from Illahun dated AD 395 – 642

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1911.63.25
  • Material: wool
  • Period: Coptic Period
  • Excavator: W.M.F. Petrie
  • Dated: AD 395 - 642
  • Object name: hair net
  • Dimensions: Length: 373mm , Width: 290mm
  • Published references: A similar group in the Whitworth Art Gallery, exhibited and published by F. Pritchard, Clothing Culture (2006)
  • Site: Illahun
  • Latitude: 29.233333
  • Longitude: 30.966667