Coptic embroidery

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Background

The Coptic peoples used chain stitch, cross stitch, whipped running stitch, satin stitch, stem stitch and split stitch, from the 1st century AD onwards. While weaving was a more common form of textile decoration, some embroidery does survive. The main base fabric for Coptic work is linen, with the embroidery done in wool and sometimes silk.

Materials Used

  • linen ground
  • silk thread
  • wool thread

Stitches and Techniques

Design

Due to the nature of the community that produced them, Coptic embroidery tends to be based around Christian religious themes, although not exclusivly so.

Extant Pieces

Sources for Further Information

  • Johnstone, Pauline. "The Byzantine Tradition in Church Embroidery". Chicago: Argonaut, 1967.
  • Gostelow, Mary. "A World of Embroidery". New York: Scribner, 1975
  • Rutschowscaya, Marie-Helene. "Coptic Fabrics". Paris: Adam Biro, 1990.
  • Thompson, Deborah. "Coptic Textiles in the Brooklyn Museum". Brooklyn Museum, 1971.
  • Warner, Pamela. "Embroidery: A History". London: Batsford, 1991.