Textile Fragment with Inscription

10th–11th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454

Only the inscribed portion of this textile has survived. The kufic script and the interlaced border framing the inscription have been stamped in gold and outlined in red. The benedictory phrase is commonly found on objects throughout the Islamic world, often with the name of the recipient, as is the case here. Nothing is known about the owner, Abu ‘Abdallah ibn Nasr, but he probably belonged to the middle-class to afford such a personalized object. The shape and small size of the inscription may indicate that the fragment was originally part of a handkerchief.

Artwork Details

Title: Textile Fragment with Inscription
Date: 10th–11th century
Geography: Probably made in Iraq
Medium: Cotton, gold, ink; plain weave, painted
Dimensions: Textile: L. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Mount: H. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
W. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm)
D. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Painted and/or Printed
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1932
Object Number: 32.129.2
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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