Comb
Unknown Artist
3rd–7th century
Medium
Wood; incised
Dimensions
H. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm) W. 4 in. (10.2 cm) D. 3/8 in. (1 cm) Wt. 2 oz. (56.705 g)
Classification
Wood
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1907
Accession Number
07.228.68
Art Historical Context
This delicate wooden comb, crafted between the 3rd and 7th centuries, offers a glimpse into everyday life in the early Islamic world. Measuring just 3⅜ inches high and 4 inches wide, its compact size and lightweight design (2 ounces) made it highly portable—ideal for grooming on the go in a nomadic or urban setting. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Islamic Art Department, it exemplifies the Rogers Fund acquisition of 1907, highlighting the museum's commitment to preserving artifacts from this formative era. The comb's medium—wood incised with fine carvings—reveals sophisticated woodwo...