Stucco Fragment
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stucco; carved, painted
Dimensions
H. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm) W. 1 3/16 in. (3 cm) D. 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
Classification
Stucco
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.971
Art Historical Context
This delicate stucco fragment, dating to the 8th–12th century, a glimpse into the refined artistry of early Islamic architecture. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department Islamic Art and acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1948, it measures just 1 3/4 inches high, hinting at its role as part of a larger decorative ensemble—likely adorning the walls, arches, or mihrabs of a mosque, palace, or residence across the Islamic world, from Iran to North Africa. Crafted from stucco—a versatile, moldable plaster made from gypsum or lime—the fragment showcases sophisticated carving techniqu...