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LOT 0587
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/8 - 5 1/8 in. (36 grams total including package, 8.7-13 cm).
Comprising: an orbiculus in purple wool and coarse linen, on brown linen background, S torsion, embroidered with two stylised lions, the borders crenellated; a tabula in purple wool and coarse linen, on brown linen background, S torsion, embroidered with a central cross, the borders decorated with meanders. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Forrer, R., Die Graeber und Textilfunde von Achmim Panopolis, Strassburg, 1891, pl.V no.7, for a similar tabula.
FootnotesThe tabula, or tablion, was a squared embroidery decorating tunics or mantles. The Christian elements, like the cross at the centre of our tabula, began to decorate the garments from the 4th century onwards.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
Circa 5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Small fragment of a garment in yellow, green and red wool, S torsion, embroidered with female heads wearing high propoloma. 10 grams total including package, 76 mm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
This fragment was most likely part of a tapestry medallion with symbolic figures, likely linked to the Christian cult or, perhaps, to the Dionysian iconography. These figures could surround Tyche (a city's patron deity) or a figure of Christ or Saints. -
Very Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of the Hypogees Papyrus Manuscript from Thebes
Early 19th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Proof etching on laid paper of plate 71 from Vol .II of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française entitled Thèbes. Hypogées. Manuscrit sur papyrus. 264 grams, 102 x 69 cm
From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.
Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The papyrus manuscript was recovered from an underground tomb chamber (hypogeum). -
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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. 67 grams total including package, 10.7-26.6 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
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.
