Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 6 5/16 in. (16 cm) Max. W. 4 1/2 in. (11.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.525
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 6th–7th century, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated world of early Islamic textile production. Crafted from wool and linen using tapestry weave—a labor-intensive technique where colored weft threads are woven discontinuously to form motifs—this small piece (just 6 5/16 by 4 1/2 inches) likely originated from a larger garment, curtain, or furnishing. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic department highlights the vibrant textile traditions flourishing in the Near East during this transitional era, bridging Late Antique and ea...