Fragment of a Band
Unknown Artist
6th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm) Max. W. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.262
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fragment of a Band* the 6th century a tantalizing glimpse into early textile from the Islamic world. Crafted by an unknown artist using wool and linen in plain weave for durability and tapestry weave for decorative detail, this narrow strip measures a modest 5 7/8 inches high by 1 7/8 inches wide. Preserved in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Department of Islamic Art, it entered the collection as a gift from George. Baker in 1890. Textiles like this were vital in the 6th century, a pivotal era bridging late antiquity and the dawn of Islam, when weaving techniques flourished acro...