Framed Coptic Egyptian Textile Fragment

Framed Coptic Egyptian Textile Fragment

Coptic Egyptian Textile Fragment CULTURE REGION OF ORIGIN Coptic Byzantine Egypt DATE 5th-7th Century CE DIMENSIONS 28.6 x 15.2 cm (11.25 x 6 in.) not including frame DESCRIPTION A large fragment of Coptic linen textile tapestry woven in black (now appearing purple) and cream with figural floral and geometric patterning in a broad central strip framed by solid lines and strips of repeating geometric decoration. The central strip features lozenges containing stylized human and animal figures. At the base of the central strip is a panel containing a pair of stylized human figures. A large example with a well preserved and complex design. This fragment has been skillfully sewn on a linen backing over its old original paper mount including a brief description in Arabic from an old Cairo dealer and neatly framed making it suitable for hanging. PROVENANCE Acquired on the Swedish art market in December 2009. Formerly in a late 19th - early 20th Century Cairo collection. SPECIAL NOTES Egypt is unique in that its dry climate has preserved great numbers of ancient textiles ranging from the humble garments of everyday working people to the most sumptuous clothing of the elite and spanning a period of several thousand years. This example from the Byzantine Coptic period of late antiquity must have belonged to a person of relatively high status on account of the fine quality tapestry weaving. During the 19th and early 20th Century great numbers of ancient Egyptian textile fragments were excavated scientifically or otherwise and many sold to foreign tourists. Many of these have since found their way into museum collections reducing the number of high quality examples available on the market COMPARISONS For a related example see the Petrie Museum of Egyptology University College London online collections accession number UC43488. View this item on our website at www.clioancientart.com catalog i284.html