Mosaic Tesserae

Unknown

9th century · Glass, green and blue · Islamic Art

Compared to findings at seventh- and eighth- century sites in the region, a relatively small number of glass tesserae were excavated at Samarra, suggesting that the medium had become rare in Mesopotamia but was still valued as a sign of imperial taste. Samarra's mosaics included pieces of mother-of-pearl that would have added to their reflective qualities.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th century

Medium

Glass, green and blue

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1923