Hair Ornament, One of a Pair

12th–13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
Tubular hair ornaments have a deep history in the region of Iran and Central Asia, dating to pre-Islamic times. Worn around a thick lock of hair, this ornament would have created a striking image, especially with a brightly colored cloth slipped between the copper alloy core and the gold of the exterior, where it would have peeked through the geometric patterning of gold wire and granulation.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hair Ornament, One of a Pair
  • Date: 12th–13th century
  • Geography: Found Iran, Gurgan
  • Medium: Gold; cast, fabricated, engraved, with a copper alloy inner sleeve, decorated with twisted wire and granulation
  • Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
    W. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1952
  • Object Number: 52.32.9
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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