Stucco Fragment
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stucco (mortar); carved, painted
Dimensions
L3.5 x W 2.5x H 1.5
Classification
Stucco
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.1720
Art Historical Context
This delicate stucco fragment, likely from the 8th–12th, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the ornate world of early Islamic architecture. Crafted from mortar-based stucco—a versatile material prized for its moldability and durability—the piece was meticulously carved and painted, showcasing techniques common in regions like Iraq, Iran, Egypt during the Abbasid or Fatimid eras. Measuring just 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches, it probably once adorned a mosque, palace, or madrasa, forming part of intricate friezes, niches, or mihrabs. Stucco's rise in Islamic art stemmed from its affordability and abili...