Pattern Block

12th century

Not on view

This engraved block was employed for leather tooling. Leather–widely used in the Islamic world for daily objects, bookbindings, quivers, etc.– was gently hammered on the slate in order to impress the designs in positive relief. In this example, the main decorative pattern–the motif of animated scrolls–became popular in twelfth-century Iran.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Pattern Block
Date: 12th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran
Medium: Stone (slate); carved
Dimensions: H. 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)
W. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
Classification: Stone
Credit Line: Gift of Stora Art Gallery, 1932
Object Number: 32.139
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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