Inscribed Stele

Art Historical Context

This modest yet evocative *Inscribed Stele*, carved from limestone in the 6th–7th century, stands as a poignant artifact from the dawn of Islamic art. Measuring just over 12 inches tall, this incised stone slab—likely a gravestone or memorial marker—bears finely carved inscriptions, a technique where lines are meticulously etched into the surface to create enduring text. Such steles were common in early Islamic funerary practices, blending pre-Islamic traditions with emerging Arabic script, often featuring Quranic verses, names, or prayers for the deceased. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum o...