Textile Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Textile Fragment* from the th–5th century a glimpse into the masterful textile traditions of the Late Antique world, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of's Department of Islamic Art. Craft by an unknown artist using wool and linen in a tapestry weave technique, it exemplifies an ancient method where colored weft yarns are woven discontinuously to create vibrant, pictorial patterns directly in the fabric. This labor-intensive process allowed for rich, durable designs that adorned garments, hangings, and, surviving centuries thanks to Egypt's arid climate, where many such fra...