Sample of Lapis Lazuli
Unknown Artist
20th century
Medium
Lapis lazuli
Dimensions
H. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); W. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); L. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
Classification
Hardstone
Culture
China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Joan Hartman-Goldsmith, 1981
Accession Number
1981.296.70
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art department, this petite *Sample of Lapis Lazuli* (20th century, China) exemplifies the timeless allure of hardstone materials. Measuring just 3/4 inch high, 1 1/8 inches wide, and 1 3/8 inches long, this unknown artist's specimen reveals the stone's signature deep ultramarine blue flecked with golden pyrite inclusions—qualities that have captivated artisans for millennia. Gifted by Joan Hartman-Goldsmith in 1981, it invites visitors to appreciate the raw beauty of lapis lazuli up close. Lapis lazuli, sourced primarily from Afghanistan's Ba...