Egypt, late Coptic to early Byzantine Empire, ca. 4th to 7th century CE. A beautiful copper-colored textile fragment featuring a pair of embroidered birds of paradise balancing in front of an inverted triangular vase. Each bird holds both wings out behind its slender body and holds its head up high towards a crown-like object hovering above them. Filling the vase are fruits and flowers of varying forms, and the lower periphery of the vessel has a pair of curling tendrils upon which the birds stand. Size: 13.5" W x 14" H (34.3 cm x 35.6 cm)
Provenance: private A.G. collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA, before 2000
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#156575
Condition
This is a fragment of a larger textile composition. Losses to several peripheral areas as well as one small interior area as shown. Fraying to peripheral and interior fibers, with light staining in some areas. Nice remains of avian embroidery.