Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
4th–5th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave (?)
Dimensions
H. 27 5/8 in. (70.1 cm) W. 19 in. (48.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.207
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Textile Fragment* from the 4th–5th century offers a rare glimpse into the artistry of Late Antiquity, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of's Department of Islamic Art. Craft from wool and linen using plain weave and possibly tapestry techniques, it measures an impressive 27⅝ × 19 inches (70.1 × 48.2 cm). Acquired through a subscription purchase in 1889 this survivor of time speaks to the enduring fragility and value of ancient textiles, which rarely endure due to their organic materials. In the bustling trade hubs of the early medieval Near East or North Africa—regions that wo...