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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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Blue Faience Amulet Collection
Late Period, 664-323 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Four amulets decorated with a turquoise glaze; a shen symbol; the god Thoth in baboon form; possible bud with seal to reverse; the bottom part of a papyrus sceptre; three pierced for suspension. 7.3 grams total, 18-29 mm
From an early 20th century collection, Caernarfon, North Wales, UK. -
Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Composed of a medallion (orbiculus) decorated with geometric interlaced patterns on a purple background, framed by a minute recurring spiral, surrounded by an external circle. 149 grams, 36.5 x 36.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Tapestry technique on natural linen. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, an orbiculus, medallion in purple applied to the shoulders and the lower part of the garment, front and back. -
Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile with Vines
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Composed of a clavus decorated with grape leaves and vine shoots in light yellow colour upon a purple background, with two bunches of grapes marked in green, the frame formed of a double line surrounded externally by a minute recurring spiral. 111 grams, 58 x 18.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Tapestry technique on natural light yellow wool upon 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.
