Vase

Unknown Artist

17th century

Vase by Unknown Artist

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...

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