Fragment of a Tunic
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
Medium
Linen, silk; plain weave (?)
Dimensions
Mounted: H. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm) W. 18 7/8 in. (48 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.27
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Fragment of a Tunic offers a glimpse into the daily elegance of 6th–7th century life during the early Islamic period. Crafted from linen and silk in a plain weave—a fundamental textile technique that interlaces warp and weft threads for durability and subtle texture—this mounted piece measures 10¼ inches high by 18⅞ inches wide. Likely part of a garment worn in regions like Egypt or the Near East, it exemplifies practical artistry of ancient weavers who blended humble linen with luxurious silk, a material prized for its sheen and imported along vibrant Silk Road trade routes. T...