This cylindrical stone pendant (now broken) is carved with lines of magic symbols on two facets, and the image of a quadruped on one facet. Rather than forming actual words, the writing appears to represent a magical alphabet. The inscription remains undeciphered, and exactly what such a pendant was meant to protect against remains a mystery.
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Artwork Details
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Title:Cylindrical Pendant with Magical Writing
Date:9th–10th century
Geography:Excavated in Iran, Nishapur
Medium:Jet
Dimensions:H. 7/8 in. (2.3 cm) W. 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm)
Classification:Jewelry
Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1940
Object Number:40.170.404
Uncut Natural, Doubly Terminated Black Quartz Crystal no. 96.9.470c, and Quartz Crystal Form Pendants 48.101.240, 48.101.200, and 40.170.404
The type of pendant represented by these three quartz crystal form pendants from the Nishapur excavations, offers a striking example of the influence of natural crystal forms on facet-cut stone forms (and through these, on cast as well as fabricated metal). We feel quite secure in pointing to the doubly terminated quartz crystal, beautifully exemplified by no. 96.9.470c in the Museum's Greek and Roman Department, as the inspiration, since its form is characteristic for quartz; and while this example is probably from Italy, such crystals are known from, among other places, Turkey and New York State. The source of inspiration seems sure, in spite of the fact that many of the pendants (including these three) are in fact octagonal rather than hexagonal prisms (the latter being the invariable habit of the natural quartz crystal). The occurrence of the octagonal form must be due simply to the ease with which it can be cut and the pleasing effect it gives. For there are no natural crystals of octagonal prism form, not to mention those that are doubly terminated. Furthermore, among the known pendants of this type, the hexagonal section is more common than the octagonal. Two other jet examples were excavated at Nishapur, one hexagonal and one octagonal ( exp. neg. no. 39N588). Also known are a carnelian example acquired in Isfahan and two cast bronze examples acquired in Kabul but reportedly from Balkh (private collection, New York). All are hexagonal with the exception of one of the bronze pieces, which is an irregular pentagon, a form also without parallel in nature.
[Jenkins and Keene 1983]
1937, excavated at Sabz Pushan in Nishapur, Iran by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's expedition; 1940, acquired by the Museum in the division of finds
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Islamic Jewelry in The Metropolitan Museum of Art," April 22–August 14, 1983, no. 8d.
Jenkins-Madina, Marilyn, and Manuel Keene. Islamic Jewelry in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1983. no. 8d, p. 26, ill. (b/w).
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The Met's collection of Islamic art is one of the most comprehensive in the world and ranges in date from the seventh to the twenty-first century. Its more than 15,000 objects reflect the great diversity and range of the cultural traditions from Spain to Indonesia.
