Cover
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
Linen, silk, metal wrapped thread; plain weave, embroidered
Dimensions
H. 42 1/2 in. (108 cm) W. 44 in. (111.8 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1879
Accession Number
79.1.269
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite embroidered cover, dating to the early 19th, hails from the Islamic world and exemplifies the region's masterful textile traditions. Measuring over 42 by 44 inches, it was crafted as a generous rectangular piece, likely intended for ceremonial use such as covering furniture, beds, or offerings during special occasions. Acquired anonymously in 1879 now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department, it reflects the opulence of Ottoman or Persian-influenced workshops, where textiles served as both functional objects and symbols of prestige. The cover's foundati...