Bezoar Stone with Case and Stand

Unknown

17th century · Container: silver; pierced, chased, and mercury-gilded Goa stone: compound of organic and inorganic materials; mercury-gilded · Islamic Art

Sought by European nobility, Goa stones are compounds of natural elements once thought to have curative properties. The ornate containers were believed to enrich the medicinal effects.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Container: silver; pierced, chased, and mercury-gilded Goa stone: compound of organic and inorganic materials; mercury-gilded

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon S. Haight, 1980