EAA 2022: Abstract

The oldest silk textiles from the archaeological contexts of Prague Castle date back to the end of the 10th century. The first was picked up from the tomb of Prince Boleslav II. Přemyslid (died 999) and it is a fragment of a samite with an eagle pattern, which was made in Byzantium. Trousers leg were sewn from it, only the lace with a knot that held them below the knee has survived. The second silk fabric is part of the reliquary set of St. Ludmila, also from the Přemyslid dynasty (died 921), served as the cover of the remains of the first Czech saint. It is a protolampas with two patterns - with birds in medallions and a small pattern also with medallions, from which the dalmatic was sewn. The fabric also comes from Byzantium. Both textiles are rare imports and, among other things, document their various uses. In the first case, it is a secular garment, which has become a funeral clothing. In the second case, it is the oldest surviving church robe in the Czech lands, which came here as one of the first bishops in Prague and later became a reliquary cloth.

silk textiles, archaeological contexts of Prague Castle, 10th century, Boleslav II. and St. Ludmila, samite, protolampas

Oral presentation

  Abstract (PDF)

Milena Bravermanova¹