Bead
Unknown Artist
8th–13th century
Medium
Rock crystal; cut and pierced
Dimensions
Ht. 5/16 in. (0.8 cm) D. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm) W. 11/16 in. (1.7 cm)
Classification
Stone
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.199
Art Historical Context
This exquisite rock crystal bead, crafted between the 8th and 13th centuries, hails from the vibrant world of Islamic art. Measuring just 5/16 inch high and nearly 3/4 inch in diameter, its petite form belies its luxurious appeal. Carved from clear, durable rock crystal—a prized form of quartz known for its transparency and Mohs hardness of 7—this bead was meticulously cut and pierced, allowing it to be strung intolaces, bracelets, or prayer beads. During the Islamic Golden Age, spanning the Abbasid Caliphate and beyond, artisans across the Middle East and North Africa excelled in hardstone w...