Description:

Egypt, Byzantine period, Coptic culture, ca. 6th to 14th century CE. An impressive leaf of laid paper from a Coptic manuscript in Byzantine Egypt. Inscribed in black and red ink, the page consists of 21 lines on one side with a separator and red heading near the bottom, and 22 lines on the other side. The Coptic script is the script used for writing the Coptic language, the latest stage of Egyptian. The repertoire of glyphs is based on the uncial Greek alphabet, augmented by letters borrowed from the Egyptian Demotic. The dry climate of the Egyptian desert offers an ideal environment for the preservation of Coptic manuscripts, like this example. Due to this preservation, the transmission of the literary heritage of Egyptian Christians can be documented fairly well from its beginning in the 4th century until its decline in the 12th and 13th centuries, when it was completely superseded by Arab culture. Size: 9.8" W x 11" H (24.9 cm x 27.9 cm)

Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 21.148.4a, b.

Provenance: private Las Vegas, Nevada, USA collection, acquired from Artemission, London, UK, March 28, 2008

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#184870

  • Condition: Page from a larger manuscript; missing bottom part of page with chips and losses to edges. Tear to upper edge, hairline tear to lower center spanning about 4 lines, and another next to it spanning 2 lines. Perforation to one lower corner. Some staining and foxing as shown, but otherwise, good preservation of pigment and clear script. "21" inscribed in modern pencil on one side and 2 Cyrillic or Greek characters inscribed in modern pen on other. Accompanied by custom plastic protective film.

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April 12, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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