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LOT 0593
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
CIRCA 4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
9 - 9 1/4 in. (61 grams total including package, 23-23.5 cm).
Comprising: terminal part of a clavus connected by a thin band to the missing orbiculus in red granate and coarse linen, S torsion, embroidered with stylised birds and palmettes; fragment of fabric, embroidered with two segments, in black, red granate and white wool, over a coarse linen background; the internal part of the segments decorated with motifs of running hares, the linen background with opposed running black hares. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 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.208, for a similar clavus.
FootnotesThe clavus and orbiculus ornamented a tunic of white linen, often given to soldiers or member of the military class. The stylised birds possibly represent swans.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising: terminal part of a clavus from a tunic with an orbiculus, in purple wool on linen, embroidered with vegetal and floral motifs, framed by straight borders with external crenellation; a fragment of segmentum in yellow, green and red wool, S torsion, embroidered with floral and geometric patterns. 40 grams total including package, 17-20 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
The fragments are decorative parts of tunics. These are fabrics of great decorative finesse, with some elements displaying an unusual and extremely well-preserved color palette. The plant designs recall Iranian motifs. -
Egyptian Travertine Kohl Jar and Lid
Middle Kingdom-early New Kingdom, 12th-early 18th Dynasty, circa 1985-1479 B.C.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £667
Piriform vessel with flared foot and wide rim, discoid lid with raised central panel to verso. 355 grams, 65 mm
Ex Galerie Nefer, Zurich, Switzerland. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. -
Large Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
Circa 5th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
A very large tunic fragment from the upper part of the garment, in purple and red wool over linen, S torsion, a horizontal band with geometric patterns alternating with zig-zag lines, and descending on the breast with two clavi, patterned in similar way; red border with cords in the upper part, dentilled border with floral and vegetal ornaments (plants, flowers and buds with cross) in the lower part. 103 grams total including package, 36 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
These decorative bands had a ground weave in purple wool, with natural linen and red forming the inlaid design of formal sprigs and zig-zag patterns. The double woven selvedge of the tunic’s neck has been preserved in the upper part.
