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Tapestry
Egyptian (Arabic)
About 10th century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Linen and silk
Dimensions
Height x width: 10 11/16 x 15 3/4 in. (27.2 x 40 cm)
Credit Line
Maria Antoinette Evans Fund
Accession Number32.28
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionFragment of a garment; probably of an honorary robe. Ground: fine light brown linen gauze (in cloth weave); pieced in several places. Design: two silk tapestry bands. Wide band; yellow guilloche framing small animals (yellow and green outlined with brown). Above and below (addorsed) is an inscription in formal Kufic with tall final letters (yellow on dark blue ground). Narrow band: conventionalized floral pattern separating two lines of simple Kufic (addorsed). Stained and torn. Part of design has perished. Inscriptions: (1) .015 high (a) "(In the name of) God the Compassionate the Merciful. There is no God but Allah. He has no companion; Muhammad (is the prophet of God), 'Ali is the vica or God... (b)..Allah..made in the public tiraz in Nasha in the year 2 and 20 and 400 (1031 A.D.) Victory from God and.." (2) .005 high: "The kingdom to God" (repeated). See note.
ProvenancePurchased in Cairo, Egypt by Joseph Lindon Smith (b. 1863 - d. 1950) for the MFA for $500 [see note 1]. (Accession Date: January 21, 1932)
NOTES: [1] MFA accession numbers 32.28 - 32.33 were acquired for this amount.
NOTES: [1] MFA accession numbers 32.28 - 32.33 were acquired for this amount.