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Necklace Centerpiece

11th century
Not on view
Fatimid jewelry is often decorated with a pair of confronting birds such as these, which are set on a blue glass-filled crescent and flank a staff bearing a smaller crescent. Many areas of the pendant are filled with granulated, scrolling forms, including the bodies of the birds. Seen on one of the birds' wings is a small amount of the original blue cloisonné enamel, a luxury item that was popularly used in the Byzantine world and may have been exported to Syria and Egypt.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Necklace Centerpiece
  • Date: 11th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Syria
  • Medium: Gold, glass
  • Dimensions: H. 2 5/16 in. (5.8 cm)
    W. 1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm)
    D. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm)
    Wt. 0.4 oz. (11.3 g)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: The Friends of the Department of Islamic Art Fund, 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.76
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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