Stucco Fragment
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stucco; carved, painted
Dimensions
L 3.5x W 2.5 x H 2
Classification
Stucco
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.1803
Art Historical Context
This delicate stucco fragment, dating to the 8th–12th, offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of early Islamic architecture. Crafted from stucco—a molded plaster made from gypsum, lime, and aggregates—it was carved with intricate designs and enhanced with vibrant paints, techniques that allowed artisans to create affordable yet luxurious decorations mimicking costly stonework. At just 3.5 x 2.5 x 2 inches, this small piece likely adorned a mosque, palace, or private home in regions like Iraq, Iran, or Egypt during the Abbasid or Fatimid eras. In Islamic art, stucco fragments like this exe...