Necklet

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 18th-century necklet, crafted from gold and lacquer beads, exemplifies the refined artistry of Islamic jewelry traditions. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department, it was acquired through the John Stewart Kennedy Fund in 1915. As a necklet—a necklace-like adornment—the piece would have been worn as a statement of elegance and status, highlighting the wearer's wealth and cultural sophistication. Gold, a precious metal revered across Islamic cultures for its luster and durability, forms the structural backbone, likely worked with intricate techniques suc...