Fragment
Unknown Artist
9th century
Medium
Glass; stained and luster-painted
Dimensions
H. 5/8" (0.8 cm) L. 1 1/2" (3.8 cm)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Saeed Motamed, 1974
Accession Number
1974.371.16
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass fragment, dating to the 9th, hails from the Islamic world during the Abbasid Caliphate—a golden age of artistic innovation. Measuring just 5/8 inch high and 1 1/2 inches long, is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of medieval Islamic artisans, who produced luxury objects for elite patrons. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art Department it was generously gifted by Saeed Motamed in1974. The fragment showcases advanced techniques: staining for vibrant colors and luster-painting, where metallic oxides like copper and silver were applied and fired in a r...