Coptic Textile Fragment Group with Roman Soldiers

6th-7th century AD. A tapestry fragment group in silk and wool from a tunic or wall hanging, representing harvest scenes and scenes of Roman soldiers hunting, comprising: (i) two parallel segmenta or loroi showing two soldiers in green belted sleeved tunics fighting a bear with spear and shield, divided by helmetted heads, foliage and animal images from the second group of hunters on horseback, dressed in a similar tunic, off-white in colour, red cloak and black fitted trousers; a third hunter is visible in the left corner; (ii) a small fragment of clavus with a putto beneath birds. Cf. Rutschowscaya, M., Coptic Fabrics, Paris, 1990, pp.41, 103-105, 117; Fluck, C., Vogelsang-Eastwood, Riding Costume in Egypt, origin and appearance, Leiden, Boston, 2004, figs.105 and esp. Col. fig.41. 11 grams total, 8-28cm (3 - 11"). Property of a Kensington gentleman; acquired from Hermann Historica, Germany, auction 67, part of lot 2025; accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato for which this is a part; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10681-174371(part"). Tabby technique on linen and wool. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, with the clavi running vertically on the breast. The representation of military characters, the red colour of the background, and the hunting parties – often associated with military training– indicate the likelihood that these are fragments from the military tunic of a high-ranking officer. [2]
Condition Report: Fair condition. Rare.