Reed Mat

Unknown

first half 10th century · Hemp (warp), straw (weft); weft faced plain weave, brocaded · Islamic Art

برکة کاملة و نعمة شاملة و سعادة متواصلة و غبطة و سرور لصاحبه [repeated twice] Complete blessing and universal prosperity and continued happiness and joy to its owner Woven mats are attested in the Islamic Mediterranean as floor coverings in houses and religious buildings, and are found in tombs. Repeated twice, the Arabic inscription in this example suggests a private use, as it sends well-wishes to an unknown owner. A similar mat now in the Benaki Museum in Athens states the name of its workshop, the tiraz of Tabariyyah in Palestine. The town manufactured praised al-samaniyya mats mentioned by medieval Arab geographers.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 10th century

Medium

Hemp (warp), straw (weft); weft faced plain weave, brocaded

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1939