Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
7th–8th century
Medium
Wool, linen; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Max. H. 6 3/16 in. (15.7 cm) Max. W. 5 13/16 in. (14.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George F. Baker, 1890
Accession Number
90.5.634
Art Historical Context
This delicate Textile Fragment, dating to the 7th–8th century, offers a glimpse into the vibrant of early Islamic artistry. Woven in tapestry technique from wool and linen, it measures just 6 3/16 by 5 13/16 inches, suggesting it was once part of a larger garment, furnishing, or ceremonial object. Tapestry weave, where colored weft threads are inserted in discrete sections to create patterns, allowed artisans to produce intricate designs efficiently, blending practicality with beauty—a hallmark of Islamic textile production. Crafted during the formative Umayyad era, when Islam rapidly expande...