Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0477
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (11 grams total including package, 88 mm).
An orbiculus in coarse linen and green wool, S torsion, embroidered with the image of putto with holding a box and looking left, surrounded by tondos ornamented with vegetal embroidery, borders decorated with floral elements. [No Reserve]
Provenance
Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Literature
Cf. Institut du monde arabe, L'art copte en Égypte: 2000 ans de Christianisme : exposition présentée à l'Institut du monde arabe, Paris, du 15 mai au 3 septembre 2000, Paris, 2000, p.191, no.211, for a similar textile image on papyrus.
Footnotes
The iconography of this fragment is called "Nilotic," as it depicts plant and human elements linked to life on the Nile River. These images are very recurrent on Coptic textiles. Weavers created patterns that allowed them to reproduce these motifs on any type of fabric (curtains, tassels, clothing).
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Egyptian Hardstone Scarab with Later Gold Pendant Mount
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Carved scarab with detailed carapace and mouth parts; later gold wire mount for suspension. 2.88 grams, 16.54 mm
Early 20th century UK, collection. -
.jpg)
Egyptian Black Stone Amulet with Cartouche
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Carved in low relief with hieroglyphs to the sub-rectangular plaque, with two feathers above; integral pierced lug to reverse. 3.15 grams, 29.8 mm
with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016. -
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 4th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Comprising: a decorative tunic stripe (clavus) in purple wool over coarse linen, S-twist tapestry, divided in three sections embroidered with geometric ornaments, borders meander decorated; an orbiculus in white and black wool, S-twist tapestry, embroidered with stylised animals; fragment of fabric in red, yellow, blue and green wool, with vegetal patterns; fragments of a segmentum, in white and black wool, S-twist tapestry, embroidered with stylised figures. 42 grams total including package, 8.5-22.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Among the many fragments of wool tunics, several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi can be found. They are patterned with a profusion of small figures or interlaced abstract designs, birds, plants and animals with a contrasting border filled with geometric motifs.
