Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
5th–6th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 6 5/16 in. (16 cm) W. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.130
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Textile Fragment* from the 5th–6th century offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of the early medieval Near East, a period bridging Late Antiquity and the dawn of Islamic culture. Crafted from wool and linen in a compact 6 5/16 × 5 1/2 inches (16 × 14 cm), it originated from regions like Egypt or Syria, where such fragments were common in garments, furnishings, or burial wrappings. Acquired by subscription in 1889 for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Islamic Art department, it exemplifies the enduring allure of these ancient survivals. The fragment showcases ...