So, it's time to give you an update on my work on recreating the "el-Lahun sling" from Manchester museum with warp twining.
I have recreated a sling which looks very similar to the original one. A photo of it is appended to this post.
There are still some details which I could not work out, but I reached a point where I either need to have additional high resolution photos of certain areas or to get a personal impression to make any progress without too much speculation.
What I have done since my last post:
- I developed a technique to add and remove strings in a more controlled manner. The added and removed strings are knotted inside of the work for stability.
- I developed a simple frame for easier handling of the strings during the manufacture.
Unclear points/speculation:
- The exact way in which the strings are added and knotted is pure speculation. It is also speculation that strings are added, as until now I have not yet seen the end of a string in the pouch. To get a better idea of this process I need five high resolution photos of the center part of the pouch (inside & outer side while increase of the width, inside and outside while decrease of the width, center of the pouch). Additional information could be gained from a side view of the pouch (Where are the ends of the strings?).
- How many strings are added in each step (thread counts in every row). I have not yet achieved the thread count of the original sling.
- Thickness of the used material. Do the weft and the warps have the same thickness?
- Thickness of the finished piece.
- Transition area. How is the pouch started and how is it finished? Therefore photos of this areas would also be a nice to have (4 pieces: each end front and back side).
I may be able to hop over to England this summer to make a direct comparison of my sling with the original one and to gather the needed informations. But until then I can't really continue my work.
If someone is so kind and wants to visit the Manchester museum for me to make some photos please contact me first by PM.
I may have some special and more detailed instructions for you
.
Please feel free to give your inputs / critics. They are most welcome.
Teg / Thomas Gartmann
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