ticketsMember | Make a donation

Strand of Beads

9th–12th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
These beads, found together but restrung in a modern setting, may have formed a strand of prayer beads, which in Islamic practice have either thirty-three or ninety-nine beads to facilitate the recitation of the ninety-nine names of God. The pendant bead here is of the size and form commonly used as the chief spacer and "handle," which the person praying could use to keep track of a circuit.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Strand of Beads
  • Date: 9th–12th century
  • Geography: Excavated in Iran, Nishapur
  • Medium: Carnelian
  • Dimensions: H. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm)
    W. 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)
    D. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1948
  • Object Number: 48.101.70
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Ring, Silver; set with carnelian
Ring
9th–11th century
Seal Stone, Carnelian; incised
Seal Stone
10th–11th century
Seal with Hebrew Inscription, Carnelian; incised
Seal with Hebrew Inscription
10th–11th century
String of Beads, Stone, probably jet
String of Beads
probably 8th–12th century
String of Beads, Stone, probably jet
String of Beads
probably 8th–12th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.