Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Fragment* from the 9th century exemplifies the early brilliance of Islamic ceramics, crafted in glazed earthenware. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department as a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Wendell M. Hastings in 1960, it survives as a testament to the ingenuity of anonymous artisans during the Islamic Golden Age. At a time when the Abbasid Caliphate flourished across the Middle East, pottery like this bridged utilitarian craft and artistic expression. The use of glazing on earthenware was revolutionary, creating a glossy, impermeable surface that protected...