Bead
Unknown Artist
8th–13th century
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
Diam. 1/4 in. (0.7 cm) D. 3/16 in. (0.5 cm)
Classification
Stone
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.83
Art Historical Context
This unassuming stone bead, dating from the 8th to 13th century, offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of the Islamic world. Crafted from durable stone and measuring just a quarter-inch in diameter and three-sixteenths of an inch deep, it exemplifies the precision of ancient lapidary techniques. Such beads were likely produced across regions from the Abbasid heartlands to the edges of the Islamic empire, where skilled artisans carved and drilled hard stones like carnelian, agate, or jasper—materials prized for their longevity and aesthetic appeal. In the context of Islamic art, beads he...