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Details

LOT 0535

Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group

CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.

4 1/8 - 5 1/4 in. (41 grams total including package, 10.5-13.3 cm).

Comprising: a segmentum in red, green and black wool upon coarse linen, S torsion, embroidered with two stylised human figures, standing with the arms along the body, inscribed within a square framed with red and black chevrons, black and yellow borders; 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]

Provenance

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

Literature

Cf. Forrer, R., Die Graeber und Textilfunde von Achmim Panopolis, Strassburg, 1891, pl.V no.7, for a similar tabula.

Footnotes

The tabula, or tablion, was a square embroidery used to decorate 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.

CONDITION

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LOT 0535

Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group

Sold for (Inc. bp): £195

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