Cap with striped inscribed silk Egypt or Syria, Mamluk period, probably Sultanate of Nasir al-Din Muhammad, 1293-1341

Cap with striped inscribed silk

1300s

Egypt or Syria, Mamluk period, probably Sultanate of Nasir al-Din Muhammad, 1293-1341

Overall: 11.4 x 16.5 x 16.5 cm (4 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1985.5

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Description

Headwear was a key part of men’s outfits in medieval Egypt. This luxurious cap was made using a complicated weaving technique, with alternating panels depicting prancing animals, crescent moons, and Arabic script that reads, “Glory to our lord Sultan al-Malik al-Nasir,” the Egyptian ruler. The pale pink trim might have once been a bold shade of red. Such products were created in highly regulated workshops in Cairo and reflect Egypt’s continued flourishing textile industry. Muslim dynasties such as the Mamluks (1250–1517) were known for the lavish garments worn at court and gifted among elites as preferred symbols of honor and praise.