Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 27 9/16 in. (70 cm) W. 17 11/16 in. (45 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.74
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Textile Fragment* from the 3rd–4th offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile arts of Late Antiquity, likely originating from the Near East or Egypt. Crafted from wool and linen, it measures an impressive 27 9/16 × 17 11/16 inches (70 × 45 cm), making it a substantial surviving piece despite its fragmentary state. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of in 1889 through a subscription purchase, it resides in the Islamic Art department highlighting the continuity of weaving traditions that bridged pre-Islamic and later Islamic cultures. The fabric employs a combination of pl...