Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt
A selection of 10th to 16th century embroideries from the Newberry collection at the Ashmolean by Marianne Ellis (published Oxford, 2001).
Publications online: 66 objects
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Textile fragment with squares and interlacing knots
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Literature notes
This detail is one of a number of fascinating geometric patterns embroidered entirely in double running stitch; the shapes can be read either as eight-pointed stars or linked squares and diamonds. All are worked on fragments and it is impossible to know what kind of textile the embroidery once decorated. This pattern travelled to Europe, and a version of it was subsequently published by Johann Sibmacher in 1601 as a pattern for a border or rug. The details have been changed slightly and the charming little rosettes omitted, but the essential lines of the pattern remain. -
Details
- Associated place
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Near East (place of creation)
- Material and technique
- linen, embroidered with blue silk; with a hem in flax
- Dimensions
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26.5 x 15 cm (length x width)
along length/width 20 / 21 threads/cm (thread count)
ground fabric 0.05 cm max. (thread diameter)
ground fabric 0.03 cm min. (thread diameter)
additional fibre, embroidery 0.05 cm (thread diameter)
- Material index
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organic › animal › animal product › silk,
- Technique index
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woven › plain woven,assembled › woven › plain woven,
- Object type index
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Presented by Professor Percy Newberry, 1941.
- Accession no.
- EA1984.547
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Further reading
Ellis, Marianne, Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, in association with Greenville: Curious Works Press, 2001), no. 32 on p. 50, illus. p. 50
Barnes, Ruth and Marianne Ellis, ‘The Newberry Collection of Islamic Embroideries’, 4 vols, 2001, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, cat. vol. iii, illus. vol. i
Location
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- currently in research collection
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Publications online
-
Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt
This detail is one of a number of fascinating geometric patterns embroidered entirely in double running stitch; the shapes can be read either as eight-pointed stars or linked squares and diamonds. All are worked on fragments and it is impossible to know what kind of textile the embroidery once decorated. This pattern travelled to Europe, and a version of it was subsequently published by Johann Sibmacher in 1601 as a pattern for a border or rug. The details have been changed slightly and the charming little rosettes omitted, but the essential lines of the pattern remain. -
The Newberry Collection of Islamic Embroideries
A wide band is completely filled with a continuous design of squares linked by an interlace knot or spiral. Each square contains a diamond with four hook motifs attached. A single knot or spiral is at the centre of the star-shaped space between the linked grid.
Along both sides of the band is a hem. The fragment may have been a sash or turban cover.
Notice
Object information may not accurately reflect the actual contents of the original publication, since our online objects contain current information held in our collections database. Click on 'buy this publication' to purchase printed versions of our online publications, where available, or contact the Jameel Study Centre to arrange access to books on our collections that are now out of print.
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