Fragment c. 15th century

This fragment of textile was woven by an anonymous maker, using colored threads on a loom. Look closely, and you can see how the weft and warp threads create the patterns. The vertical stripes incorporate stylized Arabic script and shield-like emblems. The material itself offers clues to its past. Notice the fading and wear, signs of age and use. Weaving is one of the oldest technologies, and it is labor-intensive, requiring skill and patience to produce. The pattern also hints at the culture that produced it, with its complex interplay of geometric and organic motifs. Even in this damaged state, the fragment reminds us that textiles were not just functional, but also carriers of meaning. Considering this fragment, the material from which it was made, the process of weaving, the signs and symbols it contains, and the people and cultures that came together to produce it can offer insight into the hands that made it, the cultures that valued it, and the stories it tells.