Stone Beads
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stone, probably jet; painted and incised
Dimensions
W. 3/8 in. (0.9 cm) L. 3/8 in. (1 cm)
Classification
Jewelry
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1940
Accession Number
40.170.696d
Art Historical Context
These delicate stone beads, crafted by an unknown artist around the 8th to 12th century, a glimpse into the refined artistry of the Islamic world. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department, they exemplify everyday jewelry from a vibrant era of cultural exchange across the Middle East, North, and beyond. Made from jet—a lustrous black stone prized for its polishability and lightweight quality—the beads measure just 3/8 inch (about 1 cm) in width and length, perfect for stringing into necklaces,, or amulets. The beads showcase sophisticated techniques: intricate incision...