Calligraphic Panel
mid-19th century
Medium
Velvet; embroidered in gold
Dimensions
H. 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm) W. 15 9/16 in. (39.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art and Rogers Fund, 2005
Accession Number
2005.252
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, this *Calligraphic Panel* by Muhammad Shafiq exemplifies the exquisite artistry of mid-19th-century Islamic. Crafted from luxurious velvet and meticulously embroidered in shimmering gold threads, the panel measures 30½ by 15⅞ inches, making it a striking wall hanging or decorative accent. Acquired through the Louis E. and S. Seley Purchase for Islamic Art and the Rogers Fund in 200, it showcases the technical mastery of embroidery—a labor-intensive technique where fine gold wires are couched onto the fabric, creating a radiant, je...