Replica of Early Byzantine Tunic
LinenGarb
ca. 2019
Linen embroidered with thread
Acquired for Art & Artifacts Teaching Collection with funds from the 360° Program
This replica provides a sense of the overall design of an Early Byzantine tunic, but employs different techniques of production. With its long, straight sleeves and wide body, it most closely resembles a dalmatic tunic. In Late Antique Egypt, a dalmatic was usually woven on the loom as a single piece and then folded along the shoulders. A neckhole was cut and the sides of the tunic were sewn together at the edges. In contrast, this modern replica is made from prefabricated linen, incorporates side panels, and employs a larger number of seams. The ornament on this replica imitates the form and arrangement of segmenta (woven, often colorful, decorative elements), but it does not follow Late Antique techniques. This replica employs embroidery, but Byzantine Egyptian tunics typically have woven-in segmenta.