Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk, cotton, and metal wrapped thread; brocaded
Dimensions
H. 4 in. (10.2 cm) W. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of the Museum of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, 1946
Accession Number
46.37.1cc
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century textile fragment, measuring just 4 by 4 inches, offers a glimpse into the opulent world of Islamic woven artistry. Crafted from silk and cotton with metal-wrapped threads, it exemplifies brocading—a sophisticated technique where supplementary wefts are woven into the fabric to create raised, shimmering motifs. These luxurious materials, including metallic threads that catch the light, would have produced a richly textured surface, evoking the splendor of garments, turbans, or ceremonial hangings. In the Islamic world of the 1700s, such textiles were symbols of weal...