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LOT 0702
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment of an Orbiculus from a Tunic
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
4 x 4 in. (6.38 grams, 10 x 9.8 cm).
In purple wool and coarse linen, on a brown linen background, S-torsion, embroidered with vegetal ornaments, and the borders decorated with meanders. [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 textile similar in style.
FootnotesIn the Late Roman Period, round orbiculi decorated the shoulders and the lower part of tunics and kamisia (inner tunics). These fabrics were of great decorative finesse, displaying an unusual and extremely well-preserved colour palette. When the tunic was removed from use, these embroideries could be recycled and patched onto another garment.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0702
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment of an Orbiculus from a Tunic
Estimate £30 - 40€35 - 46 (for guidance only)$41 - 54 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) +BP*
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Egyptian and Phoenician Stone Scarab and Cowroid Group
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Including turquoise, white, and cream scarabs with segmented carapaces and lateral leg detailing, hieroglyphs and symbols on the underside, and one slender cowroid bearing a stylised depiction of Bes. 9.27 grams total, 14-20 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Egyptian Deir el-Bahari Bright Blue Glazed Faience Shabti of Nesitanebisheru, Daughter of Pinedjem II, High Priest of Amun, and Neskhons
Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, circa 980-935 B.C.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Deep blue, lustrous-glazed mummiform shabti with a tripartite wig and modelled arms; each hand holding a hoe, with the implements, wig, and facial details rendered in black; on the back of the figure, below the wig, hangs a centrally positioned trapezoidal seed bag in black; the bottom half of the figure bears eight columns of hieroglyphic text in black, giving a version of the shabti spell. 229 grams, 15.1 cm
From the cache of mummies of the priests of Amun at Deir el-Bahari, found by the Abdul Rassoul family circa 1910. E.E.S. sale, November 1967, sold for £5.00. Acquired from Richardson, St Christopher’s Place, Wigmore Street. London, late 1960s, for £7.00 and 10 shillings. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an academic report by Paul Whelan. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.122. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13491-262881. -
Egyptian Stone Amulet Collection
New Kingdom-Late Period, circa 1100-500 B.C.Estimate: £700 - 900 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £365
Comprising: a feldspar amulet of the crouching god Sokar with falcon head and human body, custom-made display stand; a carved vulture amulet on a rectangular base; suspension loop on the back. 19.5 grmas total, 28-41 mm
Sokar: Ex Roger Liechti (1934-2010), Petit-Lancy, Switzerland (inv.no. E.601); acquired from Galerie Elsa-Bloch Diener, Bern. Thence by family descent. Vulture: Ex Roger Liechti (1934-2010), Petit-Lancy, Switzerland (inv.no. E. 772); acquired in 1984 from Mr Cohen, Galerie La Reine Margot, Paris. Thence by family descent, Switzerland.
Vulture representations are among the oldest amulet types, found in burials dating to the late Third millennium B.C. They provide apotropaic protection for the deceased. The vulture is associated with various Egyptian deities, especially with the goddess Nekhbet. Sokar, the hawk-god originally of the Memphite necropolis and deity of fertility and artisans, became closely linked with Osiris and Ptah, forming the syncretic deity Ptah-Sokar-Osiris.
