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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 Mounted Coptic Textile with Figures
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising a clavus decorated with various bright colours (green, brown, blue, yellow) with stylised human figures vertically arranged upon a red background and separated by foliage decoration, vegetal pattern inside the orbiculus, polychrome dowel frame with an articulated and rounded profile, all upon linen background with roped border. 120 grams, 62 x 18 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Tapestry technique on linen and wool. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, the clavus with preserved orbiculus, running vertically on the breast and on the back of it. -
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Carved with simple body and eye detailing and polished; drilled through the eyes for suspension. 0.56 grams, 14 mm
Ex early 20th century Home Counties, UK, collection. -
Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile
Circa 5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
The decorative border from a garment (cloak?), wool weaving on linen and purple, tendril pattern; the wide, undecorated central red purple panel framed with purple wavy tendrils with arrowhead-shaped leaves. 131 grams, 41.5 x 26 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Cloaks and mantles were the main type of outer garments worn by men in late antiquity. They are mentioned in the sources under a variety of names: birrus, caracallus,cucullus, lacerna, sagum, paenula and paludamentum. Unfortunately, despite the fact that cloaks were such important garments they are preserved in far fewer numbers from burials in Egypt than tunics, except as fragments.
