A nobleman’s casual wear
This style of tunic with its long front opening was called
makhlamion in the eleventh and twelfth century. It is the precursor
to the deep V-neck line of the courtier’s long sleeved tunic. The loops of
gold cord and large pearl buttons are based upon a popular novel of the
period, Digenis Akritas. In the early tenth century Emperor Leo “the
Wise” legalised the sale of offcuts of purple dyed silk for use as
trimmings. Scattered along these edgings are clusters of pearls, a
motif echoing one recorded on imperial garments mentioned in the Book
of Ceremonies.
Turbans wrapped over pointed padded caps are a notable fashion
amongst the Egyptians, but are also shown in pictorial sources in
Rômania.
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