Fragment
Unknown Artist
probably 13th–14th century
Medium
Porcelain
Dimensions
H. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm) W. 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm) D. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm) Wt. 0.6 oz. (17 g)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell M. Hastings, 1960
Accession Number
60.23.94
Art Historical Context
This delicate porcelain fragment, likely from the 13th or 14th century, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the opulent world of medieval Islamic art and global trade. Measuring just 13/16 inches high and weighing a mere 0.6 ounces, it is a tiny survivor—possibly from a vessel, tile, or decorative object—crafted with the translucent, high-fired porcelain that originated in China. Such pieces were highly prized in the Islamic world, where they symbolized luxury and technical mastery, often imported via the Silk Road during the Mongol Ilkhanid and Mamluk eras. Porcelain's significance in this con...