Fragment of a Tunic

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment of a tunic, to the 5th century, offers a rare glimpse into the everyday textiles of the ancient world. Crafted from wool and linen, it just 12 inches high and 4¾ inches wide, likely part of a larger garment worn in the Near East or Egypt during a time of cultural exchange between Byzantine, Sasanian, and early pre-Islamic societies. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic department as a gift from George F. Baker in 1890, it exemplifies the fragility and preciousness of surviving ancient fabrics. The artwork showcases sophisticated weaving techniques: a plain...