LOT 0494

Coptic Textile Fragment Pair with Roman Soldiers

6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

7 1/2 - 10 1/4 in. (8 grams total, 19-26 cm).

In silk and wool from a tunic or wall hanging, comprising: (i) a corner fragment of a tapestry showing two soldiers hunting, one with a cross traced as deigmaton on the round shield and a semi-spatha (sword) in his right hand, both dressed in Gothic tunics of green and off-white colour, black trousers and red sagia, escaping animals surrounding; (ii) a long segment (clavus) with a hunting scene comprising a cavalryman in green mantle, off-white tunic, shield and sword, a Nubian servant in exomis and holding a shield, chasing wild horses, antelopes, goats and hares, a third horseman half-visible on the right. [2, No Reserve]

Hermann Historica, Germany, auction 67, part of lot 2025.
Property of a Kensington gentleman.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato of which this is a part.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.10681-174371 (part).

Cf. Rutschowscaya, M., Coptic Fabrics, Paris, 1990, pp.41, 103-105, 117; Fluck, C., Vogelsang-Eastwood, Riding Costume in Egypt, origin and appearance, Leiden, Boston, 2004, fig.105, and esp. Col. fig.41.

Tabby technique on linen and wool. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, the clavus (ii) running vertically on the breast; the corner fragment (i) forming the lower hem of the tunic. The representation of military characters, the red colour of the background, and the hunting parties – often associated with military training– indicate the likelihood that these are fragments from the military tunic of a high-ranking officer.