Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
H. 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm) W. 15 1/4 in. (38.7 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
2002.494.772
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, dating to the 18th, hails from the rich tradition of Islamic art. Measuring 19 7/8 by 15 1/4 inches, it the luxurious medium of silk, prized in the Islamic world for its sheen, durability, and ability to hold vibrant dyes. Such fragments often survive from larger pieces like garments, turbans, or ceremonial hangings, offering a glimpse into the opulence of elite life during the Ottoman, Safavid, or Mughal eras. Floral motifs, as suggested by its tags, were a hallmark of Islamic textiles, evoking paradisiacal gardens from Quranic imagery—think blooming ros...