Until 1st May, 2026
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A FRAGMENT OF A COPTIC TEXTILE WITH A MAENAD, EARLY BYZANTINE PERIOD, CIRCA 4TH-6TH CENTURY
Lot 21 - ANT1125
Egypt. Fragment from a tunic in undyed linen plain weave, woven in brown and purple with a dancing woman draped in a cloak and standing within an arcade, flanked by vine-leaf borders, below a bust of a figure in profile with their shoulders turned forward and adorned with a necklace.
Provenance: The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012.
Condition: The fragment in good condition with old wear, obvious losses, minor tears, loose threads, soiling.
Dimensions: Size 19 x 10 cm (excl. frame), 38 x 30.5 cm (incl. frame)
Like most textiles from Egypt, this panel may have been part of a ritual or festive garment. It was manufactured in the Early Byzantine period from undyed linen and purple wool in tapestry weave technique. The medallions and ornamented bands, called clavi, were decorated with images from nature, the classical world, or Christian themes.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related ornamental shoulder band from a tunic, Egypt, Byzantine period, in the Cleveland Museum of Art, accession number 1919.24.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London,1 April 2014, lot 223
Price: GBP 4,000 or approx. EUR 7,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Coptic textile panel with dancing figures, circa 4th- 6th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related decoration and similar technique. Note the size (20 x 38 cm).
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