Fragment of a Hanging
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Linen, silk; embroidered
Dimensions
H. 76 in. (193 cm) W. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, in honor of Karekin Beshir, 1969
Accession Number
69.142.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fragment of a Hanging* the 18th century a glimpse into the refined world of Islamic textile arts. Crafted from linen and silk and richly embroidered, this tall, narrow panel—measuring 76 inches high and 13½ inches wide—was likely part of a larger decorative hanging used to adorn homes, mosques, or spaces. The floral motifs, a hallmark of Islamic design, evoke the lush gardens of paradise, symbol beauty, abundance, and spiritual harmony. In the 18th century, such embroidered textiles represented the pinnacle of artisanal skill across the Islamic world, from the Ottoman Empire t...