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LOT 0434
Large Mounted Egyptian Coptic Textile
CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
30 3/4 - 27 1/2 in. (1.8 kg total, mount: 78 x 70 cm).
Possible fragment of tapestry or a cloak, light fabric, S-twist tapestry, ornamented with wool and linen flowers in red, green and yellow colour.
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Cf. Calament, F., Durand, M., Antinoé, á la vie, á la mode, visions d’élégance dans les solitudes, Lyon, 2013, cat.25, for similar.
FootnotesMost of the linen or wool garments found by A. Gayet in the Antinoe necropolis were woven in a specific pattern, in a single piece, on a horizontal warp. Another relatively common pattern for linen garments consisted of assembling three pieces woven on a single warp and forming the upper part of the garment, with the collar and sleeves.
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 Textile Fragment Group
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
Comprising: a large fragment of a segmentum in white and red linen and wool, S torsion, borders embroidered with meanders, the central scene representing running hares; a purple on linen fragment of a clavus representing a dancer, borders with geometric decoration; and a large fragment of a tablion, ornamented with images of fishes, birds and vegetal patterns in red, green, yellow and dark blue wool, the central tondo missing. 66 grams total including package, 14.3-20.3 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Water plant elements are scattered across the bottom of the tablion, which is decorated with water birds; these decorations likely surrounded the image of a nereid. These abstract decorations show a strong stylisation often giving the marine animals a plant-like appearance. -
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
An orbiculus in yellow, green and red wool and coarse linen, on brown linen background, S torsion, embroidered with a stylised hare within a green circle. 11 grams total including package, 71 mm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
In early Christian iconography, the hare was a symbol representing primarily the Church hiding in Christ (the ‘rock’ of Psalm 103:18) from a sinful world. This interpretation drew from the Old Testament's description of the hare as a weak creature that makes its lair in the rock, signifying the Church's reliance on Christ for safety. It was also linked to resurrection and fertility. -
Romano-Egytian Bead and Amulet Collection
Late 1st millennium B.C.-early 1st millennium A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £65
Including annular, tubular, tabular and other beads, and other items. 28 grams total, 0.6-12 cm
From an old deceased estate. Property of an East London lady collector, acquired at auction before 1995.
