Coptic Textile with Mythological Creatures

$221.15

A beautiful Coptic linen fragment featuring dyed woollen threads in red, yellow and green colour. This fine example displays the depiction of two mythological creatures, very likely Minotaurs, inserted in a crenelated frame. This decorative strip could have easily been part of a tunic as a decoration.

Date: Circa 4th-6th century AD
Condition: Very fine with clear and visible details, very nice polychromies.

SOLD

SKU: VB-22 Category: Tags: , ,

The Minotaur is a mythical creature portrayed in Classical times with the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man.

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 9.8 g
Dimensions L 14.5 x W 7 cm
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