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LOT 0560
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
CIRCA 4TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
8 7/8 in. (40 grams total including package, 22.5 cm).
Fragment of a tapestry or a fabric, white linen and brown wool, S twist, depicting three rows of black slingers, shields in right or left hands, marching in opposing positions towards a roundel decorated with images of marine animals. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Pritchard, F., Clothing culture, Dress in Egypt in the collection of The Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester, Manchester, 2006, figs.2.3 (a) and 2.3 (b), for similar textiles.
FootnotesThis embroidery was typical of tunics and garments characterised by full-length clavi, decorated with either intricate geometric patterns or with a multitude of small figures and animals, often edged with geometric borders and finished with thick, weft-loop fringes or cords.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising: a fragment of a segmentum in linen and red, brown, yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with a series of heads alternating with a flying putto holding a melograne; a fragment of another segmentum in linen and red, brown, yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with vegetal patterns, borders decorated with meanders; a fragment of a segmentum in linen and red, brown, white, yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with floral buds; a small fragment of a tablion with geometric decoration, purple wool on linen. 44 grams total including package, 4.3-20.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Some of these pieces are fragments from a tunic decoration, usually belonging to bands on red background, decorated with a series of motifs related to the Dionysian cult: usually these depict cherubs, fish, heads, palmettes, vegetal and floral ornaments, as well as figures of dancing puttoes within the orbiculi. The decorative motifs on these tunics were usually arranged vertically and horizontally. -
Phoenician Scarab in Gold Swivel Ring
6th-4th century B.C. and laterEstimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
The scarab with lightly incised anatomical detailing, the underside with a central cartouche flanked by two rearing crowned uraei, a pair of falcons standing above the cartouche facing a smꜣ hieroglyph symbolising union (of the two lands, Upper and Lower Egypt); set into a later gold swivel ring. 4.34 grams, 26.44 mm overall, 15.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
with Bonhams, London, UK, 21 October 1999, no.36. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12370-226696. -
Historic Collection of 801 Slides of Archaeological Sites in Egypt
1960s-1980s A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Housed in five linen-covered boxes, covering Saqqara, Mereruka, Nubia, Middle Egypt, Thebes, Gebel, Tuna, Tutankhamun of the Valley of the Kings, Eighteenth Dynasty, and Abydos etc. 4.31 kg total, 26.5 x 16.5 x 6.5 cm each box
Property of archaeologist Stephanie Gee, N.W. London, UK, 1960s-1980s.
Stephanie Gee was a prominent archaeologist who took part in several expeditions in Egypt. She was a trusted assistant to the British-Australian archaeologist Veronica Seton-Williams, who excavated in Egypt, Britain, and the Near East. Stephanie also took part in the Tell El-Farâ'în expeditions of 1965-1968, and assisted Seton-Williams with preparing the 1966 expedition report. Their collaboration continued and Stephanie helped with the manuscript of Seton-Williams’ book ‘The Road to El-Aguzein’, a narrative account of her life that was first published in 1988.
