Fragment of a Tunic
Unknown Artist
5th–6th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 28 3/4 in. (73 cm) Max. W. 20 1/4 in. (51.4 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.336
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fragment of a Tunic* from the 5th–6th offers a glimpse into the daily elegance of Late Antique life. Crafted from wool and linen using plain weave for the foundation and tapestry weave for decoration, this substantial piece—measuring nearly 29 inches high and 20 inches wide—likely once adorned a garment in a vibrant, multicultural world bridging the Byzantine, Sasanian, and Islamic spheres. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1889 through public subscription, it now resides in the Islamic Art department, highlighting the continuity of textile traditions across culture...