Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 14 in. (36.8 cm) W. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.297
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 3rd–4th century, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated weaving traditions of the ancient Near East or Egypt during the Late Antique period. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art, it early textiles that bridged Roman, Byzantine, and pre-Islamic cultures, later preserved in Islamic collections. Though small—measuring just 14 inches high by 4 inches wide—this wool and linen piece was likely part of a larger garment, curtain, or furnishing, highlighting everyday artistry in a time when textiles were prized for both util...