Beads
Unknown Artist
3rd–12th century
Medium
Amethyst; faceted
Dimensions
A: H. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm) Diam. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm) Wt. 0.18 oz. (5.1 g) B: H. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm) Diam. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm) Wt. 0.14 oz. (4 g)
Classification
Jewelry
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910
Accession Number
10.130.3424a, b
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection, these delicate amethyst beads, gifted by Helen Miller Gould in 191, hail from the vast span of the 3rd to 12th centuries. Crafted an unknown artist, the pair showcases two faceted gems: one measuring 7/8 inch high with a 9/16-inch diameter (weighing 0.18 oz.), and the other slightly smaller at 5/8 inch high (0.14 oz.). Their violet hue and precise facets highlight the lapidary expertise of ancient artisans, who transformed raw amethyst—a quartz prized for its clarity and color—into luminous jewelry components. In the Islamic ...