Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) Max. W. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.618
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 4th, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated weaving traditions of the early medieval Near East or Egypt. Crafted from wool and linen in a weave—a technique where colorful weft threads are woven over a linen warp to create vibrant, discontinuous patterns—the small piece measures just 4 3/4 by 4 1/8 inches. Though worn by time, it exemplifies the durability and artistry of these materials, which were prized for clothing, furnishings, and ceremonial uses in daily life. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art, this fragme...