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Pyxis

8th century

Not on view

Al-Fudayn, an Umayyad residence located on trade routes joining cities such as Gerasa (Jerash) with the Arabian Peninsula, belonged to the exceptionally wealthy great grandson of the third Orthodox caliph ‘Uthman ibin ‘Afan. It was destroyed in the early ninth century, when a subsequent owner opposed the Abbasids. These luxury goods were found together and were perhaps hidden at that time.
The arcades and horizontal bands decorating this pyxis are outlined by dotted circles, a widely used ancient motif. The ivory would have come to al-Fudayn from East Africa and Ethiopia through the port of Oman, where it was worked, via the trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula.

Pyxis, Ivory, carved, incised, and infilled with red and black pigments — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Pyxis

Date: 8th century

Geography: Made in Eastern Mediterranean, excavated at al-Fudayn (Mafraq), Jordan

Medium: Ivory, carved, incised, and infilled with red and black pigments

Dimensions: H:2 3/4 in (7 cm); diam: 3 9/16 in. (9 cm)

Classification: Ivories

Credit Line: Jordan Archaeological Museum, Amman (J. 15708)

Accession Number: isl784

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.