Decorative Element
Unknown Artist
9th–10th century
Medium
Rock crystal; carved
Dimensions
H. 3 in. (7.6 cm) DIam. 5/16 in. (0.8 cm)
Classification
Stone
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.522a
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Decorative Element*, carved from rock crystal in the 9th–10th century, exemplifies the masterful craftsmanship of Islamic artisans during the Islamic Golden Age. Standing just 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall with a slender diameter of 5/16 inch (0.8 cm), its delicate form suggests it may have adorned jewelry, furniture, or architectural features, showcasing the period's fascination with luxury materials. Rock crystal, a clear and exceptionally hard variety of quartz, was prized for its translucency durability, making it ideal for intricate carvings that caught and refracted light. In t...