Ring
Unknown Artist
12th century
Medium
Gold; cast and fabricated from sheet, decorated with bitumen-highlighted incising, set with tourmaline bead
Dimensions
H. 15/16 in. (2.4 cm) W. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm) D. 1/2 in. (1.3 cm) Wt. 0.2 oz. (5.7 g)
Classification
Jewelry
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Alice and Nasli Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Alice Heeramaneck, 1980
Accession Number
1980.541.6
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 12th-century gold from the Islamic world exemplifies the masterful metalworking traditions of medieval artisans. Crafted through casting and fabrication from thin gold sheets, it measures just under an inch in height and width, making it a delicate piece suited for personal adornment. At its center sits a polished tourmaline bead—a semi-precious gemstone prized for its vibrant color and durability—encased in a bezel that highlights its luster. The ring's surface features intricate incising, where fine lines were engraved and filled with bitumen, a natural asphalt-like substance...