Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 24 3/16 in. (61.5 cm) W. 18 1/8 in. (46 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.57
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Textile Fragment, dating to the 3rd–4th century, offers a glimpse into the masterful traditions of late antiquity. Crafted from wool and linen plain weave and tapestry weave techniques, it 24 3/16 inches high by 18 1/8 inches wide. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art and acquired through subscription purchase in 1889 this fragment survives from a time when textiles were essential for clothing, furnishings, and trade across the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. The dual weaving methods highlight sophisticated craftsmanship: plain weave p...