Fragment

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment, hailing from the 9th century, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the sophisticated world of Islamic glassmaking during the Abbasid era. Measuring just 1 5/8 inches high and 3 3/8 inches long, this small piece of glass residue—likely a remnant from a larger vessel such as a beaker or bottle—survives as a testament to the era's mastery of the medium. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department, it was generously gifted by Noel E. Baker in 1952. In the 9th century, Islamic artisans in regions like Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia revolutionized glass pro...