Part of a Pillow, 5th–6th century
Linen, wool
(H x W)63 x 52,2 cm
Status
not on displayAccessionAcquisition 1941
Provenance[...]; 14.6.1941 angekauft von Herbert Mirbach, DüsseldorfInventory numberP 1941-11
Contact
sammlung@kunstpalast.de
About the workThe Greek demigod Perseus defeats the snake-headed Medusa – what a theme for a cushion cover! The fragment is one of numerous grave finds made by German archaeologists in southern Egypt towards the end of the nineteenth century. The excavated works of art, everyday objects and textiles originated from Coptic culture. The Copts had already accepted Christianity in the first century AD and developed their own language and culture in Egypt which, at the time of this object’s making, continued to use motifs from Greek mythology.