ticketsMember | Make a donation

Ring

12th–13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
This gold ring is cast and engraved with an exceptional number of figures, representing frontal heads and harpies. Harpies become a common representation in Islamic art from the second half of the 11th century, and only for a period of about two centuries, in all the regions from Central Asia to Anatolia ruled by dynasties of Turkic origins, such as the Ghaznavids and the Seljuqs. As human-headed birds, they have a hybrid nature, and were thought to have had protective and magical powers. They might also have an astrological significance, as symbolic depiction of the sign Gemini. Rings with appliqués and hexagonal bezels, as this one, are considered to have slowly disappeared in the 13th century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ring
  • Date: 12th–13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Gold; cast, engraved, granulation
  • Dimensions: Band: Diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm)
    Th. 3/8 in. ( 1 cm)
    Gr. W. 3/16 in. (0.5 cm)
    Sm. W. 1/8 in. (0.3 cm)
    BezeL. H. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm)
    W. 11/16 in. (1.7 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Birch, 1976
  • Object Number: 1976.405
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Armlet, Gold; filigree and granulation
Armlet
first half 11th century
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, Bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi
Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali
dated 577 AH/1181–82 CE
Ring, Gold; chased and set with turquoise
Ring
11th–12th century
Roundel, Gold; filigree, granulation
Roundel
11th century
Earring, One of a Pair, Gold; filigree and granulation
Earring, One of a Pair
11th–12th century

Related Content

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.