Panel
1300-1400 (made)
Place of origin |
These panels represent the work of skilled Mamluk woodcarvers, and were most likely made sometime during the fourteenth century. This set of fourteen panels demonstrates considerable technical mastery and detail in design, however, they lack the density and depth of ornamentation of the Lajin panels (V&A: 1051-1869), which are dated to 1296. Whilst the set of fourteen panels under discussion is dated slightly later, they nonetheless reflect a strong and continuous tradition of Mamluk woodcarving as practiced throughout the fourteenth century. As wood was regarded as a costly and therefore luxury material during the Mamluk period (1250-1517), these panels no doubt formed a part of an important structure undoubtedly commissioned by a wealthy patron.
The arrangement of these panels upon a wooden board reflects a nineteenth century trend of European collecting, and does not reflect the initial context in which these panels would have been used. These panels also could have come from different structures, despite the similarity of their technique and decorative style. The rectangular shaped panels would have been used at the top or bottom of a door, while the hexagonal elements probably used within a larger geometric composition set within a minbar (Islamic pulpit) panel or door of a mosque, madrasa, or residential property; their decoration is equally suitable for a religious or secular space.
The arrangement of these panels upon a wooden board reflects a nineteenth century trend of European collecting, and does not reflect the initial context in which these panels would have been used. These panels also could have come from different structures, despite the similarity of their technique and decorative style. The rectangular shaped panels would have been used at the top or bottom of a door, while the hexagonal elements probably used within a larger geometric composition set within a minbar (Islamic pulpit) panel or door of a mosque, madrasa, or residential property; their decoration is equally suitable for a religious or secular space.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Wood carved and inlaid with ivory elements |
Brief description | Fourteen carved wooden panels inlaid with ivory, mounted on a board, Egypt, Mamluk period, 1300-1400 |
Physical description | The panels comprise of two rectangles, two squares, and ten hexagonal shaped wooden panels of varying sizes, each carved with a pattern of interlacing foliate scrolls. The boarders of each panel are inlaid with carved ivory, decorated with a running scroll motif. The fourteen panels have been later mounted onto a wooden board. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Object history | Before entering the V&A collection this object was owned by Dr Meymar, a Turkish Bureaucrat who worked in Cairo between 1850 and 1869 A.D. His collection was bought by the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum) in 1869. This collection formed the foundational collection of Mamluk art at the V&A. |
Associations | |
Summary | These panels represent the work of skilled Mamluk woodcarvers, and were most likely made sometime during the fourteenth century. This set of fourteen panels demonstrates considerable technical mastery and detail in design, however, they lack the density and depth of ornamentation of the Lajin panels (V&A: 1051-1869), which are dated to 1296. Whilst the set of fourteen panels under discussion is dated slightly later, they nonetheless reflect a strong and continuous tradition of Mamluk woodcarving as practiced throughout the fourteenth century. As wood was regarded as a costly and therefore luxury material during the Mamluk period (1250-1517), these panels no doubt formed a part of an important structure undoubtedly commissioned by a wealthy patron. The arrangement of these panels upon a wooden board reflects a nineteenth century trend of European collecting, and does not reflect the initial context in which these panels would have been used. These panels also could have come from different structures, despite the similarity of their technique and decorative style. The rectangular shaped panels would have been used at the top or bottom of a door, while the hexagonal elements probably used within a larger geometric composition set within a minbar (Islamic pulpit) panel or door of a mosque, madrasa, or residential property; their decoration is equally suitable for a religious or secular space. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1082-1869 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest