Fragment of a Shoulder Band

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment of a shoulder band woven from linen and wool, dates the 6th–7th century—a transformative era marking the dawn of Islam in the Near East and North Africa. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic department, this tiny textile (just 5 inches high and2¾ inches wide) offers a glimpse into everyday adornment, likely part of a garment strap worn across the shoulder. Gifted in 1890 by George F. Baker, it survives as a testament to the era's skilled craftsmanship, when textiles were essential for clothing, trade, and cultural exchange along Silk Road routes. The use o...