Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
3rd–4th century
Medium
Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions
H. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm) W. 6 5/16 in. (16 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1889
Accession Number
89.18.27
Art Historical Context
This delicate Textile Fragment, dating to the 3rd–4th, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated textile traditions of the ancient Near East or Egypt, regions later central to Islamic art. Crafted from wool and linen plain weave for the foundation and tapestry weave for decorative elements, it exemplifies early techniques that combined durability with vibrant patterning. At just 12¾ × 6⅜ inches (32.4 × 16 cm), this small survivor hints at larger garments or furnishings, preserved through the arid conditions of its origin. The use of tapestry weave—where colored weft threads are woven directly i...