Fragment of Archivolt

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Fragment of Archivolt*, carved in limestone relief during the 6th–7th century, offers a glimpse into the dawn of Islamic art. Archivolts were ornate moldings framing arches in grand architectural settings, such as doorways or mihrabs in early mosques and palaces. Measuring just 5½ inches high but stretching nearly 20 inches wide, this modest survivor captures the refined stonework of a bygone era, acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1910. Crafted in low-relief technique, the sculpture exemplifies early Islamic sculptors' mastery of limestone—a...