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LOT 0497
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
CIRCA 5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
11 - 12 1/4 in. (126 grams total including package, 28-31.2 cm).
Comprising a large fragment of a segmentum in linen and wool, decorated with orbiculi, a warrior to the centre flanked by hares; a large fragment of a segmentum in purple embroidery, comprising a central row with Nubian figures and borders with geometric decoration; a third segmentum in red, green and yellow wool with central vegetal ornaments. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Del Francia Barocas, L., Museo dell'Alto Medioevo, Roma, I materiali Copti, pp.94-101, for similar segmenti.
FootnotesThe theme of rabbits or hares, in association with other characters and animals of the Dionysian thiasos in a hunting setting, has notable parallels. The warrior in the center of the medallion holds a spear and shield and raises his left leg forward. Such representations are linked to narratives of the Dionysian cycle.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Multi-Stranded Mummy Bead Necklace
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A four-strand designer necklace composed of polychrome beads of mainly annular and tubular types. 22.9 grams, 82 cm
Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F.A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014.
For thousands of years, artisans in Egypt created vibrant ceramics to echo the beauty of rare jewels. These ornaments were created with almost every material, colour, and texture imaginable and they come from across Egypt and beyond: vibrant blue lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, glossy black obsidian from Turkey, and aqua-green turquoise from the Sinai. They were worn in life and, after death, they served as precious ornamentation for mummies. -
Egyptian Black Stone Amulet with Cartouche
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Carved in low relief with hieroglyphs to the sub-rectangular plaque, with two feathers above; integral pierced lug to reverse. 3.15 grams, 29.8 mm
with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016. -
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Comprising a large segmentum in linen and wool, with a hare and nereid, wool purple on linen, S torsion, borders with dentellid decoration; two other segmenta in wool and linen, part of clavi, with floral and vegetal embroidery. 41 grams total including package, 19-33 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
The theme of rabbits or hares, in association with other characters and animals of the Dionysian thiasos (here a nereid), has notable parallels. Such representations are linked to narratives of the Dionysian cycle.