Coptic Panel with Animals

$400.36

A fine Coptic wool fragment displaying a beautiful floral and zoomorphic decoration. The panel is decorated with a vertical band, framed to both sides with wavy motifs. To the centre seven medallions hold stylized silhouettes of animals, dancers and riders. This fragment might have possibly been part of a scarf or a tunic, the most common garment in Coptic culture.

Date: Circa 4th-6th century AD
Provenance: Property of a Mayfair, London, UK, ancient art collector; acquired in the 1970s-1980s.
Condition: Very fine. This ancient fragment has been mounted in to a cardboard to preservation. The dimensions given are with the cardboard.

In stock

Coptic textiles, whose production began in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD in Egypt, were hand woven with unbleached linen warps and dyed wool wefts. This beautiful Coptic textile managed to survive thanks to the dry and hot desert climate.

During the Early Coptic period (3rd – 4th centuries AD), the primary decorative themes were taken from nature and Classical mythology. By the Middle Coptic period (5th – 7th centuries AD), depictions included abstract natural elements and Christian symbolism.

Weight 46 g
Dimensions L 36 x W 13.5 cm
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