MUSSE

Rare Greek papyrus texts and Coptic textiles from Egypt are amongst the exhibits giving a fascinating insight into ancient lifestyles in a new exhibition at the University’s Potter Museum of Art

The Coptic textiles were once part of elaborately adorned items of clothing worn in the time of Christian Egypt, during the fourth to seventh centuries.

“These donated works make important contributions to the antiquities collection at the University of Melbourne benefitting generations of students to come,” says exhibition curator Dr Andrew Jamieson.

Dr Jamieson pays tribute to the philanthropists who bequeath their treasures to the University.”They are outstanding gestures of generosity,” he says.

The ancient texts were donated to the University of Melbourne in 1901 and 1922 by the Egyptian Exploration Society, London UK.

Some of the Coptic textiles were donated to the University in 2006 by artist Yvonne Audette, who purchased them from a bazaar outside the Cairo Museum in the 1950s

Other significant textiles, including an almost complete shawl, form part of the David and Marion Adams Collection donated early this year.

Coptic textiles are notable for the richness of their decorative motifs: geometric patterns, human figures, birds, animals, fish, flora, mythological themes, Nilotic and marine scenes, episodes from the Old and New Testaments, and crosses.

“The works featured in the exhibition offer a dramatic view into the lives of the owners and makers of these garments and texts through the fragile pages of papyrus and delicate woven textiles,” Dr Jamieson said.

The exhibition runs from 17 October 2009 to 18 April 2010