Vase
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Bronze; cast with pierced decoration
Dimensions
H. 6 3/8 in. (16.1 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Gift of George Blumenthal, by exchange, 1982
Accession Number
1982.65
Art Historical Context
This elegant 17th-century bronze vase standing just over 6 inches tall, exemplifies the refined metalworking traditions of Islamic art. Crafted by an unknown artist, its slender form is adorned with intricate pierced decoration—delicate openwork patterns created through casting and meticulous perforation. This technique not only lightens the metal's weight but also transforms the vase into a sculptural lantern, casting enchanting shadow patterns when illuminated, a hallmark of Islamic craftsmanship that blended utility with poetic beauty. In the opulent courts of the th century, such vases se...