Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
4th–5th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave, weft loop weave
Dimensions
H. 18 1/8 in. (46 cm) W. 7 1/16 in. (18 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.23
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Textile Fragment, dating to the 4–5th century, a glimpse into the sophisticated world of Late Antique textile production in the regions that would later form the Islamic world, such as Egypt or the Near East. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art, this small yet remarkable piece—measuring just 18⅛ × 7¹⁄₁₆ inches (46 × 18 cm)—was through a subscription purchase in 188, highlighting early collector interest in ancient. Crafted from wool linen using a masterful combination plain weave for structure, tapestry weave for colorful motifs, and weft loop w...