Fragile Remnants: Egyptian Textiles of Late Antiquity and Early Islam

by Regina Hofmann de Keijzer, Regina Knaller, Veronika Mader

Curtains, blankets, pillows, tunics--most Coptic textiles, the ancient and early Islamic fabrics unearthed at burial grounds and other archaeological sites in Egypt, are woven wool or linen. They were produced between the third and eighth centuries AD and unearthed in the nineteenth century, and they convey both a vivid impression of ancient life and of early Egyptology. This new genre of archaeological find was presented for the very first time at what is now the MAK museum in Vienna in 1883, accompanied by a catalogue compiled by its discoverers, Orientalist Josef von Karabacek and art dealer Theodor Graf. The MAK (then the Imperial and Royal Austrian Museum of Art and Industry) purchased the core of Graf's collection that same year, bringing its significant collection of Coptic textiles to more than 1000 objects. The 115 items selected for presentation in Fragile Remnants offer a representative overview, a look back in time and inspiration for present-day designers.

198 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006