Fragment of a Lamp
Unknown Artist
9th century
Medium
Earthenware; glazed
Dimensions
H. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm) W. 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm) D. 1/4 in. (0.7 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Noel E. Baker, 1952
Accession Number
52.130.9
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of a 9-century glazed earthenware lamp offers a glimpse into the everyday artistry of the Islamic world during the Abbasid Caliph's golden age. Measuring just under 2 inches wide and less than 2 inches high, it once formed part of a functional oil, likely used in homes, mosques, or across the vast Islamic empire stretching from Spain to Central Asia. The thin profile (only a quarter-inch deep) highlights the potter's skill in creating lightweight yet durable vessels. Glazed earthenware was a hallmark of early Islamic ceramics, with the glossy coating not only enhancing ...