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LOT 0463
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
CIRCA 5TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 - 2 3/4 in. (10 grams total including package, 34-71 mm).
Comprising: fragment of an orbiculus in brown and yellow coarse linen and wool, S torsion, embroidered with a running animal (lion?); fragment of a tablion with representations of fishes, white and green wool on linen. [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.87, for similar textiles.
FootnotesParticularly interesting is the presence of fish, which are part of depictions of marine life, in keeping with the classical Graeco-Roman tradition. Stylistically, Hellenistic naturalism is evident in these compositions in the rounded shapes of fish and marine animals, which create an effect of movement.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
Circa 7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Large fragment of tapestry, comprising two segmenta, in red granate wool and coarse linen, on green wool background, S-Z torsion, embroidered with stylised birds, palmettes and other vegetal ornaments, the borders of both segmenta decorated with meanders. 103 grams total including package, 31 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
This fabric was probably part of a wall tapestry or of a large garment. In 7th century A.D., the stylisation was always more evident on the embroidery of the Coptic textiles, especially when the Arab conquest banned the imagery of the Graeco-Roman world. The decoration was mostly concentrated on geometric ornaments or images of stylised animals. -
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Egyptian Hardstone Scarab
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
With detailed clypeus and head, raised ridge separating the wing case, resting on an oval base with plain underside. 10.1 grams, 27 mm
From the property of a London, UK, gentleman, 1970-2000s.
The scarab, which represented the dung beetle, was the most popular amulet in ancient Egypt for approximately two thousand years until the Ptolemaic Period when it gradually fell out of favour. The popularity of scarabs extended beyond the borders of Egypt, and they were also distributed and produced in other regions, such as Phoenicia and Israel. The beetle is named khepri, derived from the verb 'to come into existence', and was considered the embodiment of the creator god Khepri, who was self-created. The ancient Egyptians mistakenly believed that the young beetle emerging from the dung ball was the result of an act of self-creation. -
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Egyptian Glass Eyes
Late-Ptolemaic Period, circa 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising two blue-rimmed eyes with black pupil and cream sclera, and a blue eyebrow. 2.82 grams total, 23-24 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
