Tunic with Mythological Motifs
7th century C.E.
Coptic
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Ancient Egyptian weavers decorated linen and wool with indigo-blue dye as early as 2000 B.C.E. But the actual source of indigo color in Egypt remains uncertain.
The plant that produces true indigo dye, Indigofera tinctoria, is not known to have grown in Egypt, but was imported through trade routes by the Greco-Roman period (323 B.C.E.–395 C.E.).
The woad plant, which produced a slightly less concentrated indigo color, was likely the earliest source of blue dye in Egypt.
The plant that produces true indigo dye, Indigofera tinctoria, is not known to have grown in Egypt, but was imported through trade routes by the Greco-Roman period (323 B.C.E.–395 C.E.).
The woad plant, which produced a slightly less concentrated indigo color, was likely the earliest source of blue dye in Egypt.
- Maker/Artist
- Coptic
- Classification
- Textile
- Formatted Medium
- Wool
- Medium
- wool
- Period
- Late Antique Period
- Dimensions
- as mounted: 2 × 53 1/2 × 101 in. (5.1 × 135.9 × 256.5 cm)
- Accession Number
- 41.523
- Credit Line
- Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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