Vase
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
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 ...