Textile Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Textile Fragment* from the 5th–6th century offers a rare glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of Late Antiquity, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department. Crafted from wool and linen, it exemplifies the era's mastery of weaving techniques, including plain weave for a sturdy base and weft loop weave, which created textured loops akin to early pile structures. Measuring about 13 by 22 inches at its maximum, this fragment likely originated from garments, furnishings, or trade goods in regions like Egypt, Syria, or the Near East, where such tex...