Dice

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, this petite pair of dice, crafted from jet in the 10th–11th century, offers a glimpse into everyday life in the medieval Islamic world. Measuring just 1 1/2 inches high 1/2 inch wide, these gaming pieces are remarkably small yet finely worked. Jet, a dense black fossilized wood prized for its smooth polish and lightweight durability, was a favored material for portable objects like these, allowing them to be easily carried for travel or leisure. During the Abbasid era and beyond, games of chance and skill were popular across Isla...