Textile Fragment
1293-1341 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This fragment of silk damask was found in a tomb at El Azam in Upper Egypt, and was probably originally part of the garments from the grave's inhabitant. The design shows strong influences of Chinese style and the piece was probably made in the vast empire of the Mongols.
The Arabic inscription refers to Muhammad ibn Qala'un, a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt who reigned between 1293 to 1341 AD, which indicates that this textile was produced for the Mamluk market.
The Arabic inscription refers to Muhammad ibn Qala'un, a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt who reigned between 1293 to 1341 AD, which indicates that this textile was produced for the Mamluk market.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk damask |
| Brief description | Green silk damask with palmette pattern and Arabic inscription, China or Central Asia, 1293-1341 |
| Physical description | Green silk damask, woven with rows of palmette devices diagonally placed and alternately reversed in direction. Each is outlined by leaf ornament and encloses an Arabic inscription surrounding a five-pointed leaf. The palmettes are united to one another by flame-like stems/ The inscription reads: "Nasir ed Dunya wa ed Din (temporal and spiritual conqueror Muhammad ibn Qala'un". This Mamluk Sultan of Egypt reigned between A. H. 673 and 741 (= CE 1293-1341). Seam along one edge (two pieces joined together). |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Object history | The textile was found in a tomb at El Azam, Upper Egypt. |
| Production | Appears to be from Central Asia but the inscription suggests for use in Egypt |
| Association | |
| Summary | This fragment of silk damask was found in a tomb at El Azam in Upper Egypt, and was probably originally part of the garments from the grave's inhabitant. The design shows strong influences of Chinese style and the piece was probably made in the vast empire of the Mongols. The Arabic inscription refers to Muhammad ibn Qala'un, a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt who reigned between 1293 to 1341 AD, which indicates that this textile was produced for the Mamluk market. |
| Bibliographic reference | A. F. Kendrick, Catalogue of Muhammadan Textiles of the Medieval Period (London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1924), p. 39, cat. 957, pl. XII |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 769-1898 |
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| Record created | November 11, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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