Fragment of Tombstone

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment of a tombstone carved from limestone in the 9th–11th century, offers a poignant glimpse into early Islamic funerary practices. Measuring just 5 3/8 inches high and 3 7/16 inches, its modest scale belies the skilled craftsmanship required to incise enduring motifs into the durable stone. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department Islamic Art, it was through the Rogers Fund in 1940, preserving a piece of history from the medieval Islamic world. Tomb like this one served vital cultural roles, marking graves and often bearing inscriptions with prayers, names, or ...