Textile Fragment

Art Historical Context

This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 3rd–4th century, offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of late antiquity. Woven from wool and linen in a plain weave—a fundamental technique that interlaces warp and weft threads in an over-under pattern—it measures 20½ inches high by 15⅞ inches wide. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art and acquired through subscription purchase in 1889 this piece exemplifies the durable, practical textiles produced in regions that would later flourish under Islamic rule. The plain weave's straightforward construction made it...