Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
6th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm) Max W. 8 9/16 in. (21.8 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.819
Art Historical Context
This delicate Textile Fragment, dating to the 6th century, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of the early Islamic world—or the late antique cultures that preceded it. Woven in wool and linen using the tapestry technique, where colorful weft threads fully cover the warp yarns to create vivid patterns, this small piece (measuring just 9 5/8 by 8 9/16 inches) exemplifies durability and artistry of ancient weaving. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art Department, it was generously gifted by George F. Baker in 1890. Tapestry weave was a prized method in antiquity...