Overcome with sheer excitement!
I visited Osborne House on the Isle of Wight last week and saw the most amazing section of cloth I have ever seen in my life. I almost hyperventilated!
It was (poorly) displayed in the Children's Museum near the Swiss Cottage at the back of the property, and although the attendant refused to let me photograph it, I did manage to make a quick sketch.
The portion of cloth on display was, I think, linen, and was described as
"Mummy cloth : Bearing the makers name, from the Tomb of Kings, Thebes. c1600BC".
Wow. This small piece of cloth is over 3,000 years old!!
It was in wonderful condition, with no holes or marks on it, possibly due to the preservatives in the Mummy itself.
The makers mark was printed on to the cloth and was as fresh as the day it was made. I imagine that it was a very skilled worker who would be allowed to weave such a prestigious cloth.
I have machine embroidered a copy of the mark on to a piece of rusted calico, and placed this on a card.
Mixed media.
Overcome with sheer excitement!
I visited Osborne House on the Isle of Wight last week and saw the most amazing section of cloth I have ever seen in my life. I almost hyperventilated!
It was (poorly) displayed in the Children's Museum near the Swiss Cottage at the back of the property, and although the attendant refused to let me photograph it, I did manage to make a quick sketch.
The portion of cloth on display was, I think, linen, and was described as
"Mummy cloth : Bearing the makers name, from the Tomb of Kings, Thebes. c1600BC".
Wow. This small piece of cloth is over 3,000 years old!!
It was in wonderful condition, with no holes or marks on it, possibly due to the preservatives in the Mummy itself.
The makers mark was printed on to the cloth and was as fresh as the day it was made. I imagine that it was a very skilled worker who would be allowed to weave such a prestigious cloth.
I have machine embroidered a copy of the mark on to a piece of rusted calico, and placed this on a card.
Mixed media.