Coptic stela, Egypt, 8th - 10th century

Coptic grave stela, Egypt, 8th - 10th century A.D., limestone, with complete 23-line inscription in Sahidic dialect, framed within rectangular decorated border. Minor losses to inscription due to damage and wear, plaster repair to upper left corner. 23-3/8''h, 16-1/4''w, 1-1/4''d. Provenance: Estate of Lawrence Feinberg, (papyrologist and specialist in ancient manuscripts turned antiquarian bookseller); Harmer, Rooke Numismatics, New York, NY, 1981. Our thanks to Dr. Lincoln H. Blumell, Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, for his assistance in cataloging this lot. Following a visit to our office to examine the stela in person, he has graciously provided a summary translation of the stela's inscription: ''The text preserves an epitaph for an Apa (father) Simothe who was a resident of Tilothis (Nilopolis) in Upper Egypt. The text begins with an invocation to the Holy Trinity and then follows with an invocation to various biblical figures like Adam, Zoe (Eve), the patriarchs and the prophets. Following this, it contains a long litany of Egyptian saints and fathers who are listed for many lines before it commemorates Apa Simothe's death. The epitaph concludes with a plea to God that he remember other Egyptian saints who had previously died.''