Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 22 3/16 in. (56.4 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
89.18.79
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Textile Fragment, dating to the 3rd–4th century, offers a rare glimpse into the artistry of Late Antique textile production, likely from Egypt, as preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection Crafted from wool and linen using plain weave for the foundation and tapestry weave for decorative elements, it exemplifies the technical sophistication of ancient weavers. Acquired through a subscription purchase in 1889 this fragment measures 22 3/16 by 18 1/8 inches, a testament to the durability of these materials over 1,700 years. Tapestry weave, where colored ...