Striped tiraz
Unknown Artist
1049–50
Medium
plain weave with inwoven tapestry weave: linen and silk
Dimensions
41 × 24.1 cm · mounted: 47 × 30.5 cm
Classification
Textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1950.528
About this artwork
This rare striped, lightweight linen cloth was probably worn wrapped as a turban with the decorated end shown off in the front. The small birds in roundels appear to be mythological harpies with human faces. The Arabic text written with letters ending in fancy trefoils contains historical data, known as tiraz. The complete text generally includes Muslim blessings, the name of the ruler, and the place and date of manufacture. The lower line reads, "Help from Allah to the servant and friend of All...