Carpet
Unknown Artist
early 16th century
Medium
Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions
H. 86 in. (218.4 cm) W. 51 in. (129..5 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Rugs
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922
Accession Number
22.100.116
Art Historical Context
This stunning early 16th-century carpet, hailing from the Islamic world, exemplifies the masterful textile traditions of the period. Measuring an impressive 86 by 51 inches (218.4 by 129.5 cm), it was crafted using wool for the warp, weft, and pile, making it both durable and luxurious. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of's Islamic Art Department, it entered the collection in 192 as a gift from James F. Ballard's renowned collection, preserving a slice of history for visitors to admire. The carpet's construction highlights a key artistic technique: the symmetrically knotted pile. In this m...