Armlet

Unknown

first half 11th century · Gold; filigree and granulation · Islamic Art

Pre-Islamic forms can be seen in bracelets such as this one, indicating traditionalism in the production of jewelry. At the back of each of the four hemispheres around the clasp there is a flat disk of gold decorated by pouncing it over a coin; the four stones originally on the front are now missing. The twisted decoration probably derives from Greek bracelets; Byzantine jewelry often incorporated coins.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 11th century

Medium

Gold; filigree and granulation

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1957