Pillow
Unknown Artist
ca. 7th–9th century CE
Medium
Linen
Dimensions
21 x 2.38 x 9.64 in. (53.34 x 6.05 x 24.49 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Costumes
Culture
Alanic
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jacqueline Simcox, 1999
Accession Number
1999.153.39
Art Historical Context
This delicate linen pillow, crafted by an unknown Alanic artist around the 7th–9th century CE, offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of the Alans, a nomadic people of Iranian descent who roamed the North Caucasus region. Measuring 21 x 2.38 x 9.64 inches, it exemplifies the practical artistry of ancient textiles, blending functionality with cultural expression. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art classified among Textiles-Costumes, was generously gifted by Jacqueline Simcox in 1999. The Alans, known for their warrior traditions and interactio...