Textile with Pearl Roundels with Dragons

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The textile fragment, titled "Textile with Pearl Roundels with Dragons," features a predominantly golden-brown color with visible fraying along its edges, indicating it is worn and possibly aged. The fabric showcases a repeating pattern of circular designs, known as roundels. Inside each roundel is a depiction of a dragon, with two dragons positioned back-to-back within each circular motif. The dragons are symmetrically arranged with their tails entwined or extending downwards. The roundels are interconnected by floral and foliate motifs. The background of the textile and the roundels appears to have a subtle texture that suggests a woven or embroidered pattern, adding depth to the design. The dragons within the roundels are stylized, with distinct scales. The overall design and motifs suggest an Asian influence, likely Chinese, given the depiction of dragons. The fabric appears to be a silk or similar high-quality material, given its texture and the intricacy of the design. The work is by an unknown artist.