Fragment of a Woodblock Print on Linen

Egypt remained an active hub of textile production and trade under the rule of the Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517), a Muslim dynasty. In the block-print technology used on this textile, multiple carved wooden blocks impress patterns on cotton or linen fabrics. Artisans used separate blocks to transfer the round medallions, create the stars, and apply the interlocking motif at the fragment’s center. The inner medallion inscription reads “the sultan” in an abbreviated Arabic spelling. Block-printed textiles were in high demand around the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions, with many produced in Egypt and others imported from western India.