Tent Band
Unknown Artist
first half 19th century
Medium
Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions
H. 483 in. (1226.8 cm) W. 14 in. (35.6 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Rugs
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922
Accession Number
22.100.38
Art Historical Context
This extraordinary *Tent Band*, created by an unknown artist in the half of the 19th century, exemplifies the masterful textile traditions of Islamic nomadic cultures. Measuring an astonishing 483 inches long and just 14 inches wide, this woolen strip—crafted with warp, weft, and pile—was designed to lash together the panels of a tent, providing both structural support and striking decoration. Housed in the Museum of Art's Islamic Department as part of the James F Ballard Collection (gifted in 1922), it reflects the ingenuity of pastoral peoples who wove beauty into everyday essentials. The b...