Fragment of a Tunic

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Fragment of a Tunic dating to the 5th–6th century, offers a tantalizing window into the everyday clothing of people in the Late Antique world, likely from Egypt or the surrounding regions. Crafted from wool and linen—natural fibers ideal for the region's climate—the piece measures just 13¾ by 8¼ inches, a surviving remnant of a larger garment worn by ordinary folk. Its placement in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic department highlights the continuity of textile traditions bridging pre-Islamic and early Islamic eras. The tunic employs a combination of plain weave for the...