Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm) Max. W. 2 11/16 in. (6.9 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.209
Art Historical Context
This exquisite textile fragment from the 6th–7th century invites us into the world of early Islamic craftsmanship. Measuring a modest 3 15/16 inches high by 2 11/16 inches wide, it was woven from wool and linen using the tapestry technique—a method where discontinuous weft threads of different colors interlace directly with the warp to create vivid patterns without waste or floats. Now treasured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art, it entered the collection as a gift from George F. Baker in 1890. Dating to a pivotal era bridging Late Antiquity and the rise of Islam, ...