Fragment

Art Historical Context

This enigmatic *Fragment* from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection invites us into the vibrant world of 11th-century ceramics. Crafted from earthenware and coated with a glossy glaze, this piece—likely part of a larger vessel or tile—survives as a testament to the ingenuity of anonymous artisans in the medieval Islamic world. Donated in 1960 by Mr. and Mrs. Wendell M. Hastings, it captures a moment when pottery production thrived across regions from Persia to North Africa. Glazing earthenware was a hallmark innovation of Islamic potters during this era, transforming humble...