Textile Fragment

The Nasrid period marked the end of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula due to growing political instability, pressure from Christian armies and the eventual unification of the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1469, which led to the expulsion of the Muslims. Despite the turmoil of their crumbling empire, Nasrid rulers left behind an exquisite legacy of art and architecture, the Alhambra perhaps being the most recognizable. This brocaded fragment is representative of a Nasrid-style textile. The deep blue ground is accentuated by gold arabesques and foliate motifs, and confronting birds and addorsed lion figures further enhance the decorative program.