Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group

CIRCA 4TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.

3 3/8 - 8 7/8 in. (42 grams total including package, 8.5-22.5 cm).

Comprising: a decorative tunic stripe (clavus) in purple wool over coarse linen, S-twist tapestry, divided in three sections embroidered with geometric ornaments, borders meander decorated; an orbiculus in white and black wool, S-twist tapestry, embroidered with stylised animals; fragment of fabric in red, yellow, blue and green wool, with vegetal patterns; fragments of a segmentum, in white and black wool, S-twist tapestry, embroidered with stylised figures. [3, No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

Literature

Cf. Gayet, M. Al., Le Costume en Egypte, du IIIe au XIIIe Siecle, Paris, 1900, no. 4, pp.86-87, for similar style of clavi; Various, Tissus d’Egypte temoins du monde arabe, VIIIe-XVe siècles, Collection Bouvier, Paris, 1994.

Footnotes

Among the many fragments of wool tunics, several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi can be found. They are patterned with a profusion of small figures or interlaced abstract designs, birds, plants and animals with a contrasting border filled with geometric motifs.

CONDITION

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LOT 0415