Vial
Unknown Artist
10th–11th century
Medium
Glass; mold blown, tooled on the pontil
Dimensions
H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm) Max. diam. (7 cm)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971
Accession Number
1972.118.179
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass vial, dating to the 10th–11th century, hails from the vibrant world of Islamic art, where artisans crafted exquisite objects for everyday luxury. Standing just 3½ inches tall with a maximum diameter of cm, it exemplifies the refined scale of portable treasures like perfume or oil containers, cherished in medieval Islamic societies across the Middle East and beyond. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic department, thanks to the bequest of Walter C. in 1971, its enduring appeal as a window into a golden age of craftsmanship. The vial's creation showcases...