Panel

Art Historical Context

This exquisite carved wooden panel, dating to the 6th–7th century, offers a glimpse into the dawn of Islamic art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Department, it exemplifies early architectural decoration from the formative years of Islam, a period when artistic traditions from late antiquity blended with emerging Islamic motifs. Likely originating from a region like Syria, Egypt, or—key centers of early Muslim culture—this panel would have adorned a building, such as a mosque, palace, or private residence, enhancing its spiritual or domestic spaces. Crafted from wood throug...