Textile Fragment from the Dalmatic of San Valerius
Unknown Artist
13th century
Medium
Silk, gilt animal substrate around a silk core; lampas with seperable layers in the ground weave
Dimensions
Textile: H. 3 in. (7.6 cm) W. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm) Mount: H. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm) W. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm) D. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1946
Accession Number
46.156.4
Art Historical Context
This exquisite textile fragment, hailing from the 13th century, originates from the Dalmatic San Valerius—a liturgicalment honoring the early Christian saint. Produced in the Islamic world, as evidenced by its placement in the Metropolitan Museum of's Islamic Art department, exemplifies the luxurious silks traded across medieval Eurasia during an era of vibrant cultural exchange, including the Crusades and Silk Road routes. European churches often repurposed these opulent fabrics for sacred garments, blending Eastern artistry with Western devotion. Crafted in silk with gilt threads—featuring ...