Fragment of Shoulder Band
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 14 9/16 in. (37 cm) Mas. W. 3 11/16 in. (9.4 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.577
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Fragment of Band*, dating to the 6th–7th century, offers a glimpse into the textile artistry of the early Islamic world. Likely part of a garment's decorative shoulder trim, this narrow wool and linen strip measures just 14 9/16 inches high and 3 11/16 inches wide. Preserved in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art Department, it entered the collection in 1890 as a gift from George F. Baker highlighting the museum's early commitment to Middle Eastern artifacts. Crafted in tapestry weave—a technique where colored weft threads are woven back and forth to form motifs without s...