Ancient Egypt, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. An extremely finely woven, framed and matted Coptic (Christian Egyptian) textile comprised of black animorphic motifs against a natural beige linen, a central cross-like form with either a lion in composite profile atop, as the lion symbolized the crucifixion, or an ibex, another classical motif used throughout the Byzantine era, and a Greek-inspired wave motif along the periphery. This rectangular textile section was most likely part of a shoulder decoration for a tunic, the favored garment of the Late Antique world. While most ancient textiles have not survived the tests of time, many Coptic textiles have survived as they were thankfully preserved in dry desert tombs. It was common practice to bury the people of late antiquity in tunics, and archaeologists have found examples in cemeteries. This example was exhibited at the Isaac Delgado Museum of Art (New Orleans Art Museum). Set in a wooden frame and floating matt. Size: textile section itself measures 5.5" L x 4.5" W (14 cm x 11.4 cm); on beige linen measures 7.5" L x 6.5" W (19 cm x 16.5 cm); framed and matted 11.5" L x 9.5" W (29.2 cm x 24.1 cm)

According to the California Academy of Sciences, "The name Copt derives from the Arabic word "Qibt" for Egyptian, which was taken from the Greek word for Egyptian, "Aigyptos." The term "Copt" originally referred to the native Egyptians, as opposed to the Greek or Arab invaders. While later "Copt" became a religious designation referring to Christian Egyptians, the Coptic period is considered to be confined to the first millennium of the Christian era, when Christianity thrived in Egypt. Thus, Coptic textiles are the products of the Egyptians, who may or may not have been Christian, and who lived in the beginning of the Christian era" (http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/anthropology/coptic/)

Provenance: Ex-James Bernard Byrnes estate. Mr. Byrnes was the first curator of LACMA

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#117044

A section with minor losses as shown. Overall excellent.