Necklace

Art Historical Context

This exquisite gold necklace, dating to the 18th–19th century, hails from the Islamic world and exemplifies the region's masterful jewelry traditions. Crafted from pure gold, it measures an impressive 14½ inches in length, designed to drape elegantly around the neck. Acquired through the John Stewart Kennedy Fund in 1915, it now graces the Islamic Art department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it stands as a testament to the artistry of an unknown goldsmith. In the Islamic cultural context, such necklaces were more than mere adornments—they symbolized wealth, status, and familial pre...