Gaming or Chess Piece, possibly a Pawn

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection, this modest stone gaming piece—possibly a pawn from a chess set—dates to the 8th–11th century. Carved from stone and standing just 1 1/8 inches (2.8 cm) tall, its compact form speaks to the portability of everyday amusements in the medieval Islamic world. Acquired through the Pfeiffer Fund in 1972, it exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of anonymous artisans who transformed simple materials into functional art. Chess, known as *shatranj* in Arabic, flourished during this era of the Islamic Golden Age, evolving from its Indi...