Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 21 5/8 in. (55 cm) W. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.113
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Textile Fragment* from the rd–4th century a glimpse into the vibrant of Late Antique textile production, likely originating from a region like Egypt where such narrow strips (just 2¾ inches wide and 21⅝ inches long) adorned garments such as tunics or cloaks. Crafted from wool and linen—staple fibers of the era—it combines plain weave for the sturdy ground fabric with tapestry weave for colorful, pictorial inserts, a technique that allowed weavers to create intricate motifs efficiently on portable looms. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department (acquired...