Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment. 6th-8th century A.D. Two large decorated fragments of square applique (tablion, tabula) and vertical band (clavus) from a tunic, woven in linen and wool, embroidered with polygonal patterns and arabesques, the tabula showing four crosses inscribed in romboid figures, framed by lozenges and edged by a squared border of opposed meanders; the clavus showing the same decorative pattern among two human figures and ending in an orbiculus geometrically embroidered, one of the sides still attached to the wool rope of the tunic; linen background, mounted on a backing board with glass cover. Cf. Gayet, M.Al., Le Costume en Egypte, du IIIe au XIIIe Siecle, Paris, 1900, nos.266,273; Del Francia Barocas, L., Museo dell'Alto Medioevo, Roma, I materiali copti (The Coptic Materials, in Italian), Roma, 1994, nos.53,58. 17.6 kg, 38.5 x 44.5 cm (15 1/8 x 17 1/2 in.) Private Swiss collection. Acquired at Hotel Des Ventes, Geneva, Switzerland, c. 2010. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the Hotel Des Ventes invoice. The fragments, made with tapestry technique (white linen warp with left twist, weft in raw, dark blue, dark purple, red and natural wool), was probably part of a large tunic or garment, richly embroidered according the Late Roman Style, with squared application (tabulae) and vertical (clavi) bands. [No Reserve]