Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
5th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm) Max. W. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm wide)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.651
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 5th, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated weaving traditions of the Late Antique world, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department. Craft from wool and linen in a tapestry weave—a technique where colored weft yarns are woven discontinuously to create intricate patterns—this narrow strip (max. 15½ in. high by 2½ in. wide) survives as a testament to early textile production in regions that would later flourish under Islamic influence, such as Egypt or the Near East. Tapestry weave was prized for its durability and abili...