Fragment of a Tiraz-Style Textile with Design of Linked Hexagonal Medallions with Hares and Confronted Peacocks

This fragment consists of decorative bands on plain-weave linen with blue vertical-warp threads and white horizontal-weft threads. The widest band displays repeating and linked hexagons filled with animals, namely hares and peacocks. The adjacent bands have brown, scroll-like lines on a gold-colored background and linear, abstract motifs in cream on a red background.

This fragment is a tiraz-style example and was likely part of a garment. Tiraz textiles refer to early Islamic honorific robes with woven or embroidered inscriptions or pseudo-inscriptions. The decorative elements in this piece are woven on the linen with silk in tapestry weave, thus imparting texture, visual interest, and palpable luxury.