Towel
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Linen, silk; plain weave, embroidered
Dimensions
H. 29 in. (73.7 cm) W. 15 in. (38.1 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.8
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century towel from the Islamic world exemplifies the artistry of embroidered textiles, crafted from linen and silk using a plain weave foundation. Measuring 29 inches high by 15 inches wide, compact size suggests it was likely a personal hygiene item, such as a hand towel used in hammams or households. The delicate embroidery, featuring bird motifs, highlights the intricate needlework traditions prevalent in Ottoman or Persian regions during this period, where such objects blended utility with beauty. In Islamic art, embroidery on textiles served both practical and decorat...