Inscribed Stele

Art Historical Context

This inscribed stele, crafted from limestone in the 6th–7th century, stands as a poignant artifact from the dawn of the Islamic era. Measuring 20½ inches tall and 13 inches wide, it exemplifies early Islamic sculpture, likely serving as a funerary or commemorative marker. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1910, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Islamic Art, offering visitors a tangible link to a transformative period when Islam emerged amid the cultural crossroads of the Arabian Peninsula and Byzantine influences. The stele's incised technique—precise carvings etc...