Bead
Unknown Artist
8th–13th century
Medium
Stone, probably jet; cut and drilled
Dimensions
Ht. 11/16 in. (1.7 cm) W. 11/16 in. (1.7 cm) D. 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
Classification
Stone
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.219
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, this unassuming yet exquisite bead hails from the vibrant Islamic world of the 8th to 13th centuries. Crafted from stone—likely jet, a black lignite prized for its smooth polish and luster—the bead measures just 11/16 inches high and wide, with a depth of 9/16 inches. Its cut and drilled form reveals masterful craftsmanship, allowing it to be strung intolaces, bracelets, or prayer beads, everyday items that carried deep personal and cultural weight. During this expansive era, spanning the Abbasid Caliphate's golden age through tu...