Yastik Cushion Cover
Object Name: Cushion cover
Date: ca. 1600
Geography: Turkey, Bursa
Culture: Islamic
Medium: Silk, cotton, metal wrapped thread; cut and voided velvet (çatma), brocaded
Dimensions: Textile a: H. 50 in. (127 cm) W. 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm) Textile b: H. 50 1/2 in. (128.3 cm) W. 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm) Mount: H. 53 3/4 in. (136.5 cm) W. 30 1/4 in. (76.8 cm) D. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Woven
Credit Line: Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917
Accession Number: 17.120.123

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York


Rectangular silk velvets, such as this textile, would have been used to cover cushions, or yastik, on a low seating platform. They feature staggered rows of dramatic floral medallions set against a crimson ground. The ends of the textiles exhibit borders of repeating floral motifs set into rows of small arched forms known as lappets.