Chess Piece, Probably a Pawn

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection, this modest chess piece—likely a pawndates to the 8th–11th century exemplifies everyday artistry from the early Islamic world. Crafted unglazed earthenware, a humble fired clay common in the region, it stands just 1 3/8 inches tall, perfect for portable gaming sets carried by traders and scholars along Silk Road routes. Its simple form highlights functional design over ornamentation, reflecting the practical beauty of objects made for daily use rather than elite display. Chess, known as *shatranj* in medieval Islamic culture,...