Ancient Egyptian wool fragment from Antinoe dated AD 395 – 642

Knitted wool, probably part of a sock, in bands of purples, reds, blues and yellow. Rows increased at random points in knitting to fan out from tightly rolled cast-on edge. Tiny fragments of flax thread in the edge suggest it was stitched down at some time. Red sewing wool darns two worn areas. Colour joins indicate some wools were added in return row of two needle technique. Two added rows of Soumak type embroidery, red. Three stitches times five rows per centimetre, approximately.

Ancient Egyptian wool fragment from Antinoe dated AD 395 – 642

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1914.26.23
  • Material: wool
  • Period: Coptic Period
  • Dated: AD 395 - 642
  • Object name: wool fragment
  • Dimensions: Length: 190mm , Width: 144mm
  • Published references: Johnson, Antinoe & its Papyri, see p.180.
  • Site: Antinoe
  • Latitude: 27.816667
  • Longitude: 30.883333