Fragment with an Interlace Medallion and Bands

3rd–6th century

Not on view

Two bands with a scroll of heart-shaped leaves and two birds are paired with a large roundel. The medallion encloses a beautiful interlace within an eight-pointed star. Crosses circumscribed by circles fill the spaces between the star and the running wave border. The complex patterning is created using a decorative technique known as the flying shuttle or flying needle. Shuttles are devices in a loom for passing the horizontal (weft) threads through the spaces between the vertical (warp) threads. In this technique, the weaver made additional passes of the shuttle to create lines of ornament that do not follow the regular pattern of the weave. As seen here, the threads appear to lie on top of the weave.

Artwork Details

Title: Fragment with an Interlace Medallion and Bands
Date: 3rd–6th century
Geography: Made in Egypt
Medium: Wool, linen; plain weave, tapestry weave
Dimensions: Max. H. 30 11/16 in. (78 cm)
Max. W. 26 3/4 in. (68 cm)
Classification: Textiles
Credit Line: Purchase by subscription, 1889
Object Number: 89.18.151
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Tiraz Textile Fragment
late 10th century

Textile Featuring Arabic Inscriptions
12th century

Portion of a Garment with Geometric Patterns
12th century

Roundel Illustrating Episodes from the Biblical Story of Joseph
7th century

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback