Knob

Unknown Artist

8th–13th century

Knob by Unknown Artist

Medium

Stone; carved

Dimensions

H. 13/16 in. (2 cm) W. 11/16 in. (1.7 cm) D. 5/8 in. (11.6 cm)

Classification

Stone

Department

Islamic Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Rogers Fund, 1948

Accession Number

48.101.236

Art Historical Context

This diminutive carved stone knob, dating from the 8th to 13th century, exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship of Islamic artisans during a golden era of cultural flourishing. Measuring just under an inch in height, width, and depth, was likely used as a functional yet decorative element—perhaps for furniture, doors, or vessels—in everyday life across the Islamic world, from the Abbasid heartlands to regional workshops. Crafted from stone through meticulous carving techniques, the knob reflects the mastery of Islamic stonework, where sculptors transformed hard materials into precise, tactile for...

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