Fragment of a Shuttle or Bobbin

Art Historical Context

This modest wooden fragment, dating to 580–640 CE, offers a rare glimpse into the daily life and skilled craftsmanship of Coptic Egypt. Created during the late antique period, it likely served as part of a shuttle or bobbin used in weaving. Such tools were essential in producing the intricate textiles for which Coptic artisans were renowned across the Mediterranean world. Though simple in form, wooden implements like this highlight the practical artistry that supported one of Egypt’s most important industries. The dry climate of the region helped preserve organic materials that rarely survive elsewhere, allowing modern viewers to connect directly with the hands that once wove cloth for clothing, furnishings, and liturgical use. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Rogers Fund in 1914, this small object reminds us that even humble tools played a vital role in sustaining cultural traditions and economic life in early medieval Egypt.