Ornaments

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Islamic Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art these exquisite *Ornaments* from the-19th century showcase the refined craftsmanship of an unknown artist working in silver and niello. Crafted as jewelry, these likely served as personal adornments—perhaps earrings, brooches, or hair ornaments—reflecting the opulence of daily life and special occasions in the Islamic world during a time of cultural flourishing under Ottoman or Qajar influences. The standout technique here is niello, a time-honored method where a black metallic alloy is fused into finely engraved silver, ...