Textile Fragment

15th century
Not on view
This rectangular silk textile fragment displays a repetitive pattern of small flowers and plants in green, yellow, white, and blue in offset rows on a red ground. From the base of each plant spring small leaves and stems. Above each base, a lotus-like yellow flower with green buds and leaves rises from a palmette. Confronted long-necked birds with raised wings flank the stock.
This textile fragment is ornamented with a pattern of confronting long-necked birds perched on flower stalks, facing a taller central lotus. This imagery suggests the principle of the tree of life. At the bottom of the trees, date clusters spring from both sides at the base of the three lotus stalks, suggesting fertility and abundance.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Textile Fragment
  • Date: 15th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Spain
  • Medium: Silk; lampas
  • Dimensions: H. 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm)
    W. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Woven
  • Credit Line: Gift of Clara Waldeck, in memory of her husband Hans Waldeck, 1980
  • Object Number: 1980.539
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.