An unusual scrap of Middle Eastern fabric preserved behind glass. I thought, for a long while, that it was Peruvian and then spoke with a PhD in pre-colonial Peruvian textiles and was informed otherwise. I stand corrected.
What draws me in is the medallion-like form and the timeworn elegance of the weaving. Based on its structure and motif, this fragment may relate to Egyptian textile traditions and the world of Coptic style textiles, which are often found today as surviving garment fragments and decorative medallion inserts from Late Antique Egypt. While the exact origin is difficult to confirm, the piece has the unmistakable feel of a preserved historical textile, beautifully framed and ready to display.
