Plaque
Unknown Artist
8th–9th century
Medium
Mother-of-pearl, polychromy
Dimensions
Overall: 2 5/8 x 2 1/2 x 1/16 in. (6.6 x 6.3 x 0.2 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Miniature
Culture
Coptic
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Richard Ettinghausen, in honor of Kurt Weitzmann, 1976
Accession Number
1976.406
Art Historical Context
This exquisite miniature plaque, crafted by an unknown Coptic artist in the 8th–9th century, exemplifies the refined artistry of early medieval Egypt. Measuring just 2⅝ × 2½ inches and a mere 1/16 inch thick, it is a delicate sculpture formed from mother-of-pearl—a lustrous material sourced from seashells, prized for its iridescent shimmer and workability. The addition of polychromy, or colorful pigments, enhances its surface with vibrant hues, a technique that brought life to Coptic religious and decorative objects during a time when Christianity flourished amid cultural transitions in the re...