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LOT 0439
Egyptian Large Portion of Coptic Tunic
CIRCA 5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
27 1/2 x 31 1/8 in. (750 grams, 70 x 79 cm).
The upper frontal part of a child's garment, decorated on both sides with purple wool and linen stripes (clavi), running vertically on both sides of the tunic, and ornamented with running animals (hares), the edges of each clavus with crenellated border; selvedged on the upper part of the tunic and with a fringed lower border. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Wulff, O. & Volbach, W.F., Spätantike und koptische Stoffe aus ägyptischen Grabfunden in den Staatlichen Museen Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum / Ägyptisches Museum Schliemann-Sammlung, Berlin, 1926, no.4627, p.22 and no.9195, for similar decorations on tunics.
FootnotesTunic decoration conformed to a specific layout with the back mirroring the front. Matching bands called clavi ran on either side of the neck. They could be full length, like in our specimen, or stop above the waistline.
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 Mounted Coptic Textile with Crenellated Blossoms
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Part of a tunic, the rectangular segment in yellow and green linen and wool, the central part decorated with interlaced geometric motifs, surrounded by an edge of similar motifs and border edged of crenellated blossoms. 264 grams, 64 x 37 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Among the many fragments from wool tunics are several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi. 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. -
Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile with Heart Motifs
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising a clavus with a band of heart motifs, framed by a straight border of straight segments decorated with geometric motifs. 122 grams, 41 x 26 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Tapestry technique on natural purple wool and linen. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, a clavus, running vertically on the breast and on the back of it. -
Egyptian Jasper Poppy Head Amulet Group
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Carved jasper poppy head amulets pierced at the narrow end. 3.17 grams total, 13-15 mm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
