Gold Ring in Filigree Technique

Unknown

11th century · Gold; filligree · Islamic Art

Gold jewelry of the Fatimid period (909–1171) has several distinct characteristics, including filigree openwork with S-curve decoration, and granulation. This gold ring, with its scrolling arabesque motifs is typical of such jewels. While large amounts of such jewelry were manufactured for both royal and patrician patrons, most of these items were later melted down for currency or refashioned into newer pieces, making this a rare surviving example.

Artist

Unknown

Date

11th century

Medium

Gold; filligree

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, Gift of Jacques L. Galef and Bequest of Jane Clark Carey, by exchange, Margaret Mushekian Gift and The Friends of the Department of Islamic Art Fund, 1982