Bowl
Unknown Artist
10th–11th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm) Diam. 11 in. (27.9 cm) Wt.
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1973
Accession Number
1973.338.9
Art Historical Context
This elegant bronze bowl, crafted by an unknown artist in the th–11th century hails from the Islamic world during a flourishing era of artistic innovation under the Abbasid Caliphate and regional dynasties. Dating to a time when metalwork reached new heights of sophistication, such vessels were essential household items, used for serving food, washing rituals, or even as diplomatic gifts, reflecting the interconnected trade networks from the Middle East to Central Asia. Forged from bronze—a durable alloy of copper and tin prized for its malleability and resistance to corrosion—the bowl exempl...