Artheon MuseumArtheonMuseum

Vase

Unknown Artist

6th–7th century

Vase by Unknown Artist

Medium

Bone; carved

Dimensions

H. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm) Diam. 1 9/16 in. (3.9 cm)

Classification

Ivories and Bone

Department

Islamic Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Accession Number

17.190.61

Art Historical Context

This delicate carved bone vase, dating to the 6th–7th century, exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship of early Islamic art Standing just 1 3/4 inches (4.5 cm) tall with a diameter of 19/16 inches (3.9 cm), its petite scale suggests it was a luxury item, perhaps used for perfumes, spices, or as a decorative vessel in elite households. Crafted from bone—a material prized for its fine grain and workability—the vase showcases the intricate carving techniques prevalent in the Islamic world, where artisans transformed organic materials into polished, detailed objects. In the Department of Islamic Art ...

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