15th Century & Earlier Framed Antique Coptic Textile Fragment from Byzantine North Africa

Details

Description

A small piece of antique Coptic textile woven as a horizontal band with two linear scallop borders flanking three central … Read more A small piece of antique Coptic textile woven as a horizontal band with two linear scallop borders flanking three central medallion design. Each medallion has a concentric pattern with a floral cluster motif in the center. The color consists of contrasting crimson red and deep blue as well as a lighter orange shade.
It is hard to determine the exact origin or age of this type of Coptic textile fragments; similar pieces were dated to 4th to 6th century with origin in the Middle East and North Africa. This piece was likely from Northern Africa of nowadays Egypt or Ethiopia circa 5th century. It was a fragment of the decorative fringe of a larger tunic or garment worn by Christians under Byzantine rule.
The piece is presented on a linen mat in a new shadow box under museum quality glass. See less