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LOT 0449
Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile with Running Hounds
CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
23 1/4 x 9 5/8 in. (163 grams, 59 x 24.5 cm).
Comprising a large fragment with a vertical band (clavus) from a garment, woven in linen and green, blue, yellow and red wool, embroidered with circular patterns filled with vegetal figures and arabesques, alternating with two parallel rows of running animals (hounds?), edged by a red border, a further band of foliage decoration. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Wulff, O. & W.F. Volbach, Spätantike und koptische Stoffe aus ägyptischen Grabfunden in den Staatlichen Museen Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum / Ägyptisches Museum Schliemann-Sammlung, Berlin, 1926, no.9676, p.96, for similar textile.
FootnotesTapestry technique on natural linen. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a long decorated tunic, a clavus running vertically on the breast and on the back of it, and having a parallel clavus on the other side. Tunic 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 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 Coptic Bone Cross
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Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile with Animals
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising a clavus decorated with various bright colours (green, brown, pink, blue, yellow) with stiff animal figures (dragons and stylised eagles) and a cockerel(?) inside the orbiculus. 138 grams, 70 x 18.2 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Tabby 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.
