Egyptian Coptic Tunic Textile Fragments of Orbiculi with Vegetation, Animals and Geometric Ornament

CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

2 1/2 - 4 1/4 in. (11.07 grams total, 6.3-10.7 cm).

Featuring four medallions (orbiculi) in red, green, yellow, and dark blue wool, three decorated with floral and geometric motifs, the fourth featuring an eaglet figure with a meander border; tapestry weave, S-twist. [4, No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

Literature

Cf. Del Francia Barocas, L., Museo dell'Alto Medioevo, Roma, I materiali Copti, pp.160-161 and 164-165, nos.38,40, for a similar textile.

Footnotes

The orbiculi are realised in the tapestry technique. They were part of the decoration of a tunic, and the presence of the Imperial eagle, which is not a common pattern, could be related to a military tunic or to a tunic of an Imperial functionary.

CONDITION

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LOT 0743