LOT 0447

Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group

CIRCA 4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.

4 1/4 - 10 1/2 in. (67 grams total including package, 10.7-26.6 cm).

Comprising: a fragment of a segmentum in white linen and blue wool, D torsion, with remains of a medallion embroidered with architectonical ornaments; fragment of an orbiculus in linen and red, brown, yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with vegetal patterns and the central images of an animal; a further fragment of an orbiculus in white linen and red, white, black wool, S torsion, embroidered with floral buds, a tetragamma and animals; a beautiful fragment of clavus, purple wool on linen, embroidered with lions catching birds. [4, No Reserve]

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

Cf. Del Francia Barocas, L., Antinoe, Cent’anni dopo,catalogo della mostra, Firenze, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, 10 Luglio – 1 novembre 1998, p.76, for similar textiles.

Scenes featuring personified animals first appeared during the early Pharaonic period and continued through to the Coptic era. These animals are often featured in scenes of music and dance, or processions linked with Dionysiac iconography.