Egyptian Faience Scarab for Thutmose III

The woven textile fragment of linen and wool with a large horizontal decorative band depicting octagonal rosettes inscribed in rhomboids; the rosettes divided by stylised columns decorated with foliage elements; the band edged by two lateral segments formed of octagonal rosettes enclosing flowers, bordered with scalloped geometries; at the bottom four stylised dancers. 285 grams, 60 x 35.5 cm



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

It is the lower part of a cloak from the Fatimid era. The end of the Coptic period was characterised by a treatment of eight-lobed rosettes, a current motif in Muslim art. The four dancers are made as simple signs.

Glazed powder blue with greenish glazed detailing to the feathered headdress, sharp detailing to the face and lower body, pierced ears; suspension loop on the rear of the headdress. 3.56 grams, 35 mm



Acquired in Europe before 1994.

Comprising a large fragment of a vertical band (clavus) from a tunic, woven in yellow linen and purple wool, embroidered with two rows of interlaced polygonal patterns, edged by crenellated borders and a straight line, the two rows divided by a central linear double band. 85 grams, 32.5 x 27 cm



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

The wide geometric pattern suggests a dating of the item in the early years of the Arab conquest.