Fragment of a Sleeve
Unknown Artist
5th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
L. 9 1/2 in. (24.2 cm) W. 13 3/8 in. (34 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.175
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Fragment of a Sleeve* a rare glimpse into 5th-century textile artistry from the early Islamic world. Crafted from wool and linen, this small garment piece—measuring just 9½ by 13⅜ inches—survives as a testament to the sophisticated weaving traditions of the time. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Department, it was generously gifted by George F. Baker in1890, preserving a fragment of everyday luxury likely worn in the bustling trade hubs of the Near East or Egypt. The artwork showcases a masterful blend of techniques: a plain weave foundation for durability, ov...