**Originally Listed At $350**

Egypt, Coptic, ca. 6th century CE. A fascinating Coptic textile of a male figure in hues of deep maroon and creamy beige, fixed to a fabric-covered mount. The curious figure displays a large forward-facing chest and small legs that are both bent at the knee to his right, as though he is running or jumping. His smiling face looks to his right under a full head of hair, as his right arm is outstretched straight and his left is bent upwards. Two straps lie crossed over his chest attached to a belt holding up a shendyt over the upper part of his legs. The intriguing character is accompanied by two serpent-like shapes to his lower left, as well as a trefoil and a small zoomorphic shape to his upper right. A lovely decorative border of triangles and trefoils encases the central panel. A remarkably well preserved textile from Coptic Egyptian culture! Size (textile): 3.625" W x 3.75" H (9.2 cm x 9.5 cm); (backing): 8.2" W x 9.125" H (20.8 cm x 23.2 cm)

The Coptic culture included the Christian descendants of the ancient Egyptians. The emergence of Coptic art coincided with the decline of the Roman Empire and corresponded with the reemergence of native art in Egypt. Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art of intricate patterns and vivid colors. Coptic textiles were used for myriad purposes such as rugs, wall hangings, and clothing appliques and were exported throughout the empires of Rome and Byzantium. Coptic textiles are some of the only examples of ancient textiles to have survived since they were preserved by the arid climate of the Egyptian deserts.

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000

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#142312

This is a fragment of a larger textile composition. Minor loosening to some peripheral threads, with very light staining and fading to original thread colors, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation of colors and iconography.