Egyptian Mounted Coptic Textile
Circa 5th-7th century A.D. Composed of a medallion (orbiculus) decorated with geometric interlaced patterns on a purple background, framed by a minute recurring spiral, surrounded by an external circle. Cf. Pritchard, F., Clothing Culture: Dress in Egypt in the First Millennium AD,, Manchester, 2006, pp.52ff, and fig.4.4 (c for the detail) for similar orbiculus. 149 grams, 36.5 x 36.5 cm (14 1/4 x 14 1/4 in.).

Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. Tapestry technique on natural linen. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, an orbiculus, medallion in purple applied to the shoulders and the lower part of the garment, front and back. [No Reserve]