Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 12 5/8 in. (32 cm) W. 13 3/8 in. (34 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.85
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Textile Fragment* from 3rd–4th century offers a glimpse into the sophisticated traditions of the Late Antique period, preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of's Department of Islamic Art. Craft from wool and linen—staple fibers of the ancient Near East and Egypt—the piece measures 12⅝ × 13⅜ inches (32 × 34 cm). Acquired through a subscription purchase in 1889 it exemplifies early museum efforts to collect artifacts that illuminate pre-Islamic craftsmanship bridging Roman, Byzantine, and emerging Islamic cultures. The fragment employs a plain weave (tabby) for its sturdy ground c...