String of Beads
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stone, probably jet
Dimensions
L. 12 in. (30.5 cm) Gr. Diam. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm)
Classification
Jewelry
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1940
Accession Number
40.170.697
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic collection, *String of Beads* is a graceful necklace attributed to an unknown artist from the 8th–12th century. Crafted from stone—likely jet, a glossy black material derived from fossilized wood—this jewelry piece measures 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length, with beads of roughly 13/16 inch (2.1 cm) diameter. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1940, it offers a tangible glimpse into the refined craftsmanship of early medieval Islamic societies. Jet's appeal lay in its ability to take a high polish, yielding a lustrous, mirror-like finish that m...