Decorative Element

Unknown

9th–10th century · Rock crystal; carved · Islamic Art

This carved crystal element may have contained perfume. Rock crystal carving, an art requiring great skill and manual dexterity, reached its peak during the Fatimid period, when large quantities of the raw material were imported to Cairo from the East African coast. Fatimid rulers valued objects made of rock crystal and included them in their treasuries. Many fine examples also entered European courts and were used as reliquaries in churches.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th–10th century

Medium

Rock crystal; carved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917