Lot 132, Auction 4/3/2026: Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment – Nude Dancers & Hares

$520.00

In stock

Egypt, Late Roman to Byzantine period, Coptic, ca. 300 to 700 CE. A rare and evocative Coptic textile fragment preserving a lively sequence of figural decoration, once part of a tunic worn in Roman Egypt. Woven in linen and wool using plain weave and tapestry weave techniques, the vertical band depicts two nude pyrrhic dancers holding shields, their limbs animated in rhythmic motion. These martial figures alternate with leaping animals, likely hares, arranged in opposing orientations to create a dynamic, repeating pattern. The dancers, often shown with crossed legs, reflect the pyrrhic dance tradition – a Greek war dance associated with Athena and later adopted by the Romans, where young men performed movements derived from combat training. The alternating direction of figures enlivens the composition while distinguishing human and animal motifs, a hallmark of Coptic textile design. Size of textile: 6″ W x 17.5″ H (15.2 cm x 44.4 cm);of frame: 10.5″ W x 22.5″ H (26.7 cm x 57.2 cm)

The format of the band indicates it once adorned a tunic, descending from the shoulders, in keeping with garments widely worn in Egypt from the mid-3rd century onward. Fragmentary yet visually compelling, the textile captures a rich intersection of classical myth, Roman cultural influence, and Egyptian weaving tradition.

Condition: Mounted behind glass in custom wooden frame; has not been examined outside of glass. Fragment of a funic with losses, perforations, tears, and pulling as shown. Discoloring to fabric in areas. Clear imagery with good remaining pigments. Suspension wire on verso of frame for display.

Provenance: ex private New Jersey collection acquired from nanogenarian from Long Island who collected before 2000

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