Fragment of a Cover with Geometric and Interlace Decoration
Unknown Artist
5th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
Textile: L. 25 9/16 in. (64.9 cm) W. 38 3/16 in. (97 cm) Mount: L. 30 in. (76.2 cm) W. 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm) D. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.807
Art Historical Context
This exquisite fragment of a cover, dating to the 5th, showcases the artistry of an unknown weaver through its intricate geometric and interlace decoration. Crafted from wool and linen using a combination of plain weave for the sturdy ground fabric and tapestry weave for the motifs, it measures about 25 by 38 inches. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's of Islamic Art, this textile fragment—generously gifted by George F. Baker in 1890—offers a glimpse into late antique craftsmanship, likely from the Eastern Mediterranean or Near East. The use of tapestry weave, where colored weft thread...