Stucco Fragment
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stucco; carved
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (8 cm) W. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm) D. 2 3/16 in. (5.5 cm)
Classification
Stucco
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.1378
Art Historical Context
This delicate stucco fragment, likely carved between the 8th and 12th centuries, a glimpse into the refined world of Islamic architectural decoration. Measuring just 3⅛ inches high, 1⅝ inches, and 2¼ inches deep, it exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of artisans in the early medieval Islamic world, where stucco—a molded and carved plaster—was prized for its versatility and affordability. Often used to adorn mosques, palaces, and tombs, such fragments typically featured intricate geometric patterns, arabesques, or vegetal motifs, transforming humble surfaces into shimmering displays of art...