Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
5th–6th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 9 1/2 in. (24.2 cm) Max. W. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.767
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, dating to the 5th–6th, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated weaving traditions of Late Antiquity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department Islamic Art, it measures just 9½ by 5⅜ inches (24.2 by 13.5 cm) and was generously gifted by George F. Baker in1890. Though created by an unknown artist, survival as a small remnant speaks the fragility and value of ancient fabrics, likely part of a larger garment, furnishing, or ritual object from the Near East or Egypt. Crafted from wool and linen using plain weave for the ground and tapestry weave for deco...