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Head from a Figure with a Beaded Headdress

12th–early 13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
Although three-dimensional figurative sculptures were made from the beginnings of Islamic art, this head, perhaps part of a full-sized figure, represents a rare example of such sculpture from the Seljuq period. Carved in stone, this head features an enigmatic smile that sets it apart from the average figural production of this period, much of which was made of stucco and with a more standardized and solemn expression. The maker of this object was clearly highly skilled, as evidenced by the naturalistic depiction of its Central Asian face, the stylized hair locks that form an ornament, and the elaborately jeweled headdress.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head from a Figure with a Beaded Headdress
  • Date: 12th–early 13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Fossiliferous limestone; carved, drilled
  • Dimensions: H. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
    W. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
    D. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
  • Classification: Stone
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1933
  • Object Number: 33.111
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded
Standing Figure with Jeweled Headdress
12th–early 13th century
Seated Tambourine Player, Stucco; molded and painted
Seated Tambourine Player
12th century
Standing Figure with Feathered Headdress, Gypsum plaster; modeled, carved, polychrome-painted, gilded
Standing Figure with Feathered Headdress
12th–early 13th century
Figure of a Predatory Bird, Stonepaste; monochrome glazed
Figure of a Predatory Bird
12th–13th century
Figurine of a Female (?) Seated Personage with Elaborate Headdress , Earthenware; unglazed

Figurine of a Female (?) Seated Personage with Elaborate Headdress

12th–13th century

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