5th-6th century
Two tapestry woven fragments originating from the same textile. Red and dark-dyed wool and undyed linen wefts are woven on undyed linen warps. Both fragments feature the same geometric designs: a red field containing red palmette-based designs outlined in black and a black rolling wave that borders this red field. The buff background behind the waves was likely the color of the fabric’s ground, as most fabrics of this period have an undyed linen ground decorated with colored bands, medallions, or other designs. A rounded edge appears at the top of one of the red sections, along which the black wave continues to scroll. The other fragment shows a 90-degree angle turn in the design. Supplementary weft wrapping in a red wool thread suggests long red lines parallel to the warp direction.
8.5 × 6 cm (3 3/8 × 2 3/8 in.) 5.1 × 9.8 cm (2 × 3 7/8 in.)
Dyed silk woven with gold thread (lined with white silk)
20th centuryJapaneseCotton embroidered with silk and metal thread
19th centuryOttomanTextile fibers
20th centuryGermanWool
19th centuryWool and silk
17th centuryFlemishCut, voided blue-green and white velvet with silver thread
16th-17th centuryOttomanSilk moiré
17th centuryItalianTextile fibers
20th centuryAmerican