Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
16th–17th century
Medium
Silk, metal thread
Dimensions
H. 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm) W. 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Nanette B. Kelekian, in honor of Olga Raggio, 2002
Accession Number
2002.494.749
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Textile Fragment* from the th–17th century a glimpse into the opulent world of Islamic art. Crafted from luxurious silk woven with shimmering metal threads—likely gold or silver—its elongated form (20½ × 8⅝ inches) suggests it once adorned garments, furnishings, or ceremonial objects in a prosperous Islamic court or household. Such textiles were prized symbols of wealth and status, reflecting the era's mastery in blending natural and metallic fibers for dazzling visual effects. The use of metal-thread weaving techniques, common in Ottoman, Safavid, or Mughal workshops, highlig...