Textile

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 15th-century German textile, a woven fragment from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art collection, showcases the artistry of an unknown maker using luxurious silk, linen, and threads. Measuring just 19½ × 3¾ inches, its narrow form suggests it may have been part of a decorative band, perhaps for ecclesiastical vestments, altar hangings, or secular garments. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1909, it exemplifies the high craftsmanship of late medieval Europe. In 15th-century Germany, textiles like this were symbols of wealth and piety, often produced in urban worksho...