Coptic Textile Panel with Zoomorphic ad Floral Motifs

$344.06

An Egyptian Coptic textile fragment woven in black wool onto coarse, unbleached linen. The panel features a vertical decorated band, depicting alternated zoomorphic, floral motifs and medallions. The medallions, rendered through a thick dark brown line, hold stylised representations of animal and plants. A thick dark line is displayed along the bottom of the scene. This fragment was probably part of a scarf or tunic, the most common garment in Coptic culture.

Date: Circa 4th-6th century AD
Condition: Very fine. Signs of aging and wear to the surface.

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. The majority that have survived, were used to decorate tunics; a clothing staple of the time. Influenced by a fusion of cultures and history, Coptic textiles evolved with history.  During the Early Coptic period (3rd – 4th centuries AD), the primary decorative themes were taken from nature and Classical mythology, with Hellenistic tradition still popular. By the Middle Coptic period (5th – 7th centuries AD), depictions included abstract natural elements and Christian symbolism. The third period of textiles refers to the period of Islamic dominance, when the Copts were still able to survive despite their oppression.

Weight 15.8 g
Dimensions L 29 x W 7 cm
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