Double Stamp

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, *Double Stamp* is a carved wood artifact (Ht. 1¼ in., Diam. 2⅛ in.), gifted by Helen Miller Gould in 0. Dating to the vast span of the 3rd–12th century, this unassuming object exemplifies the everyday artistry of early Islamic civilizations, where functional items doubled as expressions of skill and culture. Its small, cylindrical form suggests it served as a seal or stamp, likely pressed into clay, wax, or ink to authenticate documents, mark ownership, or decorate textiles—common practices across the burgeoning Islamic world from...