Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 14 in. (35.6 cm) Max. W. 9 in. (22 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.320
Art Historical Context
This delicate Textile Fragment, dating to the 3rd–4th century, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of the early Islamic world. Crafted from wool and linen using plain weave for the sturdy ground fabric and tapestry weave for intricate motifs, it exemplifies the technical mastery of ancient weavers. These techniques allowed for vibrant, durable designs that adorned clothing, furnishings, or ceremonial objects, reflecting everyday life and cultural exchanges across trade routes in regions like Egypt or the Near East. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art ...