Fragment of a Shoulder Band
Unknown Artist
6th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm) Max. W. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.292
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Fragment of a Shoulder Band from the 6th offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of the early Islamic world. Crafted from wool and linen, this tiny survivor—measuring just 4 3/4 inches high and 15/8 inches wide—was likely part of a garment's decorative shoulder strap, adorning tunics or shawls worn in daily life or for special occasions. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art Department, it entered the collection as a gift from George F. Baker in 1890, preserving a piece of history from a time when weaving bridged Late Antique and emerging Islamic...