Fragment of a Shoulder Band

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Fragment of a Shoulder Band from the 6th offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of the early Islamic world. Crafted from wool and linen, this tiny survivor—measuring just 4 3/4 inches high and 15/8 inches wide—was likely part of a garment's decorative shoulder strap, adorning tunics or shawls worn in daily life or for special occasions. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art Department, it entered the collection as a gift from George F. Baker in 1890, preserving a piece of history from a time when weaving bridged Late Antique and emerging Islamic...