This material is primarily from the centuries just prior to and in the early period of the rise of Islam, with the Middle East being defined rather broadly. I have included here, for example, some Byzantine objects. Related material may also be found on pages for Rome and on pages devoted to glassware and coins.

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	Stela of Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE). Northern Iraq, Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), 9th c. BCE. Gypsum. H.: ca. 294 cm. ANE 118805 (located in the Great Court of the Museum). Learn more.
	Pottery pilgrim flask N. Iraq, possibly from Nimrud, ca. 2nd-1st c. BCE. WAA 1603
	Pottery ampula with horseman spearing animals and with fighting animals. Egypt, 6th c. CE. MME 82.1-9.2
	Pilgrim flask depicting St. Menas between two camels. Egypt. MME 1976.5-20.4
	Plaque showing a somewhat curious evocation of a "lion hunt"; possibly a belt decoration. Late Antique/Byzantium, Asia Minor. 4th c. CE. Gold, pierced in manner known as opus iterrasile. 5.01 x 5.01 cm.; weight: 66.87 g. MME AF 332 Learn more.
	One of two filigree plaques. Gold. Byzantium. MME AF 339
	Medallion depicting on front Herakles and on reverse Artemis. Byzantium. Gold. MME 1986.6-1.1
	Bracelet with peacocks, partridges and bust of the Virgin Mary. Byzantium. Gold. MME AF 351
	Dish depicting Eros and a sea monster. Byzantium. First half of 7th c. CE. Silver. MME 1969.12-3.1
	Bowl depicting goddess Nana on a lion. Khwarezm, 658 CE. Silver. Inscription in the local Khwarezmian script dates it to just prior to the Arab conquest. OA 1959.10-23.1 The black and white image is from I. I. Smirnov, Vostochnoe Serebro (St. Petersburg, 1909).
	Plaque depicting senmurv. Northern Iran, Chal Tarkan, 7th-8th c. CE. Moulded stucco. 16.9 x 19.3 cm. ME 1973.7-25.3 [135913] Learn more.