Figure

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, this enchanting bronze *Figure* from the th–12th century captures the refined artistry of the medieval Islamic world. Standing just over 4 inches tall, this petite sculpture—cast in bronze and meticulously engraved—likely depicts a bird, a motif rich with symbolism in Islamic culture, evoking themes of freedom, the divine, or paradise gardens as described in poetry and scripture. Crafted through lost-wax casting, a sophisticated technique that allowed for intricate hollow forms, the artist then added fine engravings to enhance de...