Large Egyptian Coptic Textile Shoulder Fragment of a Man's Military Tunic with Clavus and Orbiculus

CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.

32 1/4 in. (233 grams total including paper folder, 82 cm).

Large section of a shoulder from a man's tunic in wool on linen, decorated with a long purple clavus featuring geometric squares and a purple orbiculus on the shoulder; tapestry, weave braids with right-angled borders. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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

Literature

Cf. Rutschowscaya, M.H., Tissus Coptes, Paris, 1990, p.52, for a complete example of such tunics, in Louvre inv.no.E 26738 A, dated to 398- 641 A.D.; for Roman military tunics cf. D'Amato, R., Roman Military Clothing (3), AD 400-640, Oxford, 2005, pp.7ff.

Footnotes

The tunic was decorated in purple with opus phrygium embroidery. This corresponds to the iconography of military tunics for 5th-7th century Roman soldiers. The archaeological evidence from the desert cemeteries of Egypt offers striking confirmation of pictorial sources on late Roman clothing around the empire.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0538