Tiraz Textile Fragment

ca. 991–1031

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 451

Inscribed textiles are called tiraz, from the Persian word for "embroidery." Many were produced in royal workshops and presented by rulers to honor courtiers and officials at formal ceremonies. They bear inscriptions naming and blessing the current ruler or caliph – a reminder to the recipient that they owed their allegiance to that ruler. This white linen textile’s dramatic inscription is embroidered in black silk. It reads: "Bismallah (In the Name of God). Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and a good end to those who fear God. And God bless Muhammad the seal of the Prophets, and all his family, the Good, the excellent. Blessing from God and glory to the Caliph, the servant of God, Abu’l 'Abbas Ahmad, al-Qadir billah, Commander of the Faithful, may God glorify him and…"

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Tiraz Textile Fragment
Date: ca. 991–1031
Geography: Attributed to Iraq
Medium: Linen; plain weave, embroidered in silk
Dimensions: Textile: L. 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)
W. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
Mount: H. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm)
W. 21 3/8 in. (54.3 cm)
D. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
Credit Line: Gift of George D. Pratt, 1931
Object Number: 31.106.56b
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Tiraz Textile Fragment, Linen; plain weave, embroidered in silk — Tiraz Textile Fragment
ca. 991–1031

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9th century

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