08-05-2007, 01:52 AM
Ave,
In working on my musculata, I studied Travis Clark's website which I am sure many of you have seen.
http://astro.temple.edu/~tlclark/lorica/musculata2.htm
The fit of the tunica vs. that of the musculata is shown in many images on his site. Tunica sleeves range from tapered and bunched up above the elbow, as on Flavius Domitianus in the Vatican Museum:
http://thepaolas.com/Emperors/Emperors/Domitian.jpg
to unobtrusive sleeves as on the Primaporta Augustus.
Granted these images are of Emperors, it is the Emperors who would routinely establish norms through their personal preferences. The range of acceptable tunica fit together with the lack of fabric bunching up and poufing out from the armor leads me to think that the Romans weren't any fonder of this effect than we are.
Fabric choice: Many of these images show plenty of folds under the pteruges below the waist. Achieving these pleasing folds calls for some volume in the cut. Lighter weight fabric would be needed. Light but very strong fabric, such a finer grade wool, or wool-silk blend or wool blended with light weight linen. A heavier weight wool, linen or cotton will resist falling correctly.
Cheers,
Satorius
(L.M. Satorius)
In working on my musculata, I studied Travis Clark's website which I am sure many of you have seen.
http://astro.temple.edu/~tlclark/lorica/musculata2.htm
The fit of the tunica vs. that of the musculata is shown in many images on his site. Tunica sleeves range from tapered and bunched up above the elbow, as on Flavius Domitianus in the Vatican Museum:
http://thepaolas.com/Emperors/Emperors/Domitian.jpg
to unobtrusive sleeves as on the Primaporta Augustus.
Granted these images are of Emperors, it is the Emperors who would routinely establish norms through their personal preferences. The range of acceptable tunica fit together with the lack of fabric bunching up and poufing out from the armor leads me to think that the Romans weren't any fonder of this effect than we are.
Fabric choice: Many of these images show plenty of folds under the pteruges below the waist. Achieving these pleasing folds calls for some volume in the cut. Lighter weight fabric would be needed. Light but very strong fabric, such a finer grade wool, or wool-silk blend or wool blended with light weight linen. A heavier weight wool, linen or cotton will resist falling correctly.
Cheers,
Satorius
(L.M. Satorius)
