Children's Tunics

These two children's tunics, found in Egypt by archaeologist Wm. Flinders Petrie, date to the Islamic period, 9th or 10th century. The blue tunic measures 45.5 cm long and 51 cm wide (18 x 20 inches). The tunic is made of three different fabrics cut from an adult garment into 11 separate pieces, with sleeves and side gores. Red and white zigzag patterned bands decorate the neck and sleeves, and diamond patterned patches are darned into the blue fabric with brown wool (see detail). The checked tunic measures 75.5 cm long and 77 cm wide (30 x 31 inches), the size of a young child. It is hand-woven of red, blue and yellow wool in an unusual plaid pattern with undyed linen (see detail). The maker tailored separate sleeves and side gores, and finished the neck with red binding and a button and loop closing. Magnified detail is available online.