Silks and Carpets for High Society

Rug, (small fragment)
Archaeological, Wool pile
Textile Museum, Washington D.C.,
acquired by George Hewitt Myers in 1936, no. 73.456

Numerous rug fragments have been unearthed from the ruins of Fustat, Old Cairo, and they make an interesting study. It is clear that carpets were extensively traded, and examples characteristic of both Turkish and Spanish weaving have been found there. Although there is no certainty as to where this example was found, Egypt is a likely source. Certain technical features indicate that this may actually have been made in Egypt, and it probably dates some time before the fifteenth century.