Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
4th–5th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 2 3/16 in. (5.5 cm) W. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.200
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 4th–5th century, offers a rare glimpse into the sophisticated weaving traditions of Late Antiquity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department Islamic Art, it measures just 2 3/16 by 1 3/4 inches (5.5 by 4.5 cm), likely a remnant from a larger garment, furnishing, or ritual object. Crafted from wool and linen—staple fibers in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures—it exemplifies the durability and versatility of these natural materials, which allowed textiles to survive burial contexts or arid environments. The fragment employs...