Stucco Fragment
Unknown Artist
probably 8th–12th century
Medium
Stucco; carved, painted
Dimensions
H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm) W. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm) D. 13/16 in. (2 cm)
Classification
Stucco
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1948
Accession Number
48.101.1214
Art Historical Context
This delicate stucco fragment, dating to the 8th–12th century, a glimpse into the refined world of Islamic architectural decoration. Likely originating from a mosque, palace, or elite residence in the Islamic world—possibly regions like Iraq, Iran, or Egypt—it exemplifies the era's mastery of stucco a versatile plaster-like material molded into walls and vaults. At just 1⅜ inches square and deep, this diminutive piece (H. 1⅜ in., W. 1⅜ in., D. 13/16 in.) belies its cultural weight, acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1948 for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection. Crafted by...