Panel

Art Historical Context

This delicate wooden panel, inlaid with ivory, hails from the Islamic world of the 14th–15th century. Measuring just 5/8 inches high and 3 1/16 inches wide, its diminutive size belies the exquisite craftsmanship evident in its construction. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 7 and now housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art department, it exemplifies the refined artistry of the medieval Islamic tradition. The technique of inlaying ivory into woodknown as marquetry or parquetry in broader terms—was a hallmark of Islamic decorative arts during this era. Artisans meticulously cut an...