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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]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
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.
FootnotesThe 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).
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Comprising: a decorative tunic stripe (clavus) ending with circular decorations (orbiculus), in dark brown wool, S-twist tapestry, borders meander decorated; two orbiculi in white and black wool over yellow linen, S-twist tapestry, embroidered with geometric motifs. 61 grams total including package, 6-23 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. -
Egyptian Schist Plate
Middle Kingdom, 2040-1782 B.C.Estimate: £650 - 850 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £325
Discoid palette with rounded underside and flat base, dished central field, flat rim with four radiating trapezoidal projections. 450 grams, 16.4 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00038135. -
Large Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
Circa 7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Fragment from a tunic in coarse linen and purple violet wool, preserving the ornamentation of neck and chest, decorated with alternating medallions, with figures enclosed within the orbiculi of the vertical braids (clavi), representing nude or lightly dressed dancers; the upper part of the fragment featuring a decoration of red triangles descending downwards. 224 grams, 62 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
This iconographic theme, originating from the pagan repertoire of Greek origin, was common on late Roman tunics: it evoked the joyful processions of Dionysus' servants.
