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LOT 0428
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
CIRCA 7TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (11 grams total including package, 78 mm).
A fragment of an orbiculus in linen and red, brown, yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with an image of a putto with vine leaves around the head, surrounded by tondos ornamented with vegetal embroidery. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Del Francia Barocas, L., Museo dell'Alto Medioevo, Roma, I materiali Copti, pp.204-205, for similar textiles.
FootnotesThis is a fragment from a tunic decoration, usually forming part of a double band on a red background, decorated with a series of motifs related to the Dionysian cult: usually depicting cherubs, fish, heads, palmettes, and figures of dancing puttoes within the orbiculi. The decorative motifs on these tunics were usually arranged vertically and horizontally.
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Egyptian Limestone Offering Table for Iny
Late Old Kingdom-First Intermediate Period, circa 2400-2040 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Rectangular table with the upper part carved in high relief in the shape of a bread loaf on a mat representing the hieroglyphic sign for "offering" (ḥtp), with two rectangular recesses for libations, and extensive hieroglyphic inscriptions displaying offering formulae along with the titles and name of the deceased: "an offering that the king gives and Anubis, the one upon his mountain, a voice offering of bread and beer for the sole companion, god’s sealer, the revered one before the god, lord of the sky/heaven, In[y]". 14.75 kg, 45.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Private collection, Switzerland. with a North American collector. London collection, 2016. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13001-244462.
Offering tables played a significant role in ritualistic activity within tombs. Their origins may be traced back to the simple act of placing a loaf of bread on a reed mat during Predynastic burials, which gradually evolved into a more formalised and durable expression in stone. The distinctive form also became a hieroglyph, used in words meaning “to be satisfied,” “to be satiated,” and similar expressions, reflecting appropriate sentiments for food and drink offerings. -
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising: a fragment of a double segmenta from the sleeve of a tunic in purple wool on linen, embroidered with vegetal motifs; the fragment of a double segmenta from the hem of a cloak in brown wool on linen, embroidered with S pattern; a tablion with central geometric motif and border embroidered with meanders; a fragment of tapestry in yellow, green and red wool, S torsion, embroidered with floral patterns. 59 grams total including package, 7-24.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
The fragments are decorative parts of tunics and cloaks. These are fabrics of great decorative finesse, with some elements displaying an unusual and extremely well-preserved color palette. The plant designs recall Iranian motifs. -
Egyptian Eye of Horus Amulet Pair
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Two amuletic beads in the shape of the wedjat-eye, one with a notched suspension bar. 4.69 grams total, 19.5-23 mm
with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016.
