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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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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)
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Egyptian Libation Vessel in the Form of a Squatting Woman
3rd century B.C.-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £675
Formed as a naked pregnant woman in a squatting position, with sagging breasts and a strongly bulging belly; pubis clearly visible between the legs, which are spread wide apart; eyes and mouth perforated to serve as a spout; filling hole at the back of the head; left foot partly absent. 161 grams, 10 cm
Hans Jurgen Döpp (1940), Frankfurt. From The Erotica Collection of Christian von Faber-Castell, Küsnacht ZH, Switzerland; acquired from Bernd Gackstätter, Antikenkabinett Frankfurt. -
Large Egyptian Bronze Oxyrhynchus Fish of Per-Medjed with Hieroglyphic Inscription
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,100
Modelled in the round on a sledge attached by ventral and pectoral fins, a forked tail, a dorsal ridge, and a tapering nose, featuring recessed circular eyes filled with enamel, a horned sun disc headdress fronted by a uraeus, and a suspension loop behind; a few hieroglyphs of a dedication remain visible on the underside of the sledge, which may be interpreted as part of a name ‘….Ta-ir-di-ankhet…’ (…tꜢ di͗ Ꜥnḫ t….). 585 grams, 17 cm
Acquired from Gallery Reiner, Paris, France, 1981. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.150583 dated 29 November 2013. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12375-226676.
The Medjed, a type of elephant-snout fish (Mormyrus kannume), was revered in ancient Egyptian religion, particularly in Per-Medjed, better known by its Greek name, Oxyrhynchus Polis. This version of the name, meaning "city of the sharp-nosed," reflects the fish's distinctive appearance as depicted in Egyptian art. These fish were believed to have consumed the penis of Osiris, the god who was dismembered and scattered by his brother Seth. As sacred creatures, figurines of the Medjed were often adorned with a horned sun-disc headdress worn by the goddesses Hathor and Isis, suggesting a close association with both. Some figurines, like this example, featured suspension loops, allowing them to be worn as pendant amulets. -
Egyptian Terracotta Pot with Bird
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Conical in profile with basal ring and radiating petal motifs to the shoulder; old 'Churchill Glass' dealer's label to underside. 50 grams, 61 mm
From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.
