Date:second half 14th century Geography: Attributed to present-day Uzbekistan, Samarqand Medium: Stonepaste; carved and glazed Dimensions: H. 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm) W. 8 5/8 in. 21.9 cm) D. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm) From the Grinnell Collection, Met The curving arched shape on top identifies it as a muqarnas element. Painted in robin egg […]
Element from a Stalactite Squinch (Muqarnas)
Date: 10th century Geography: Excavated in Iran, Nishapur Medium: Stucco; painted Dimensions: H. 13 9/16 in. (34.4 cm) W. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm) D: 5 3/4 in. (14.6cm) Wt. 5 lbs. (2.3 kg) wb From the MET This stucco piece together with the other two in the Met has pointed center top, curved in […]
Muqarnas in Fez Morocco
Title: Muqarnas decoration Creator: Unknown Location: Turkey, Bursa Physical Dimensions: Height: 13 3/4 in. (34 cm ) Medium: Earthenware, cuerda seca technique Date: 13th – 15th centuries From the Collection of Turkish Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art The Fez Morocco in Turkey offers a fine example of the utilization of muqarnas […]
Domed Roof from the Palacio del Partal in the Alhambra
Creator: unknown Date: 1200 – 1250 Location: Granada, Spain Physical Dimensions: w3.5 x h1.9 x d3.5 cm Type: Ceiling Medium: wood From the collection of Pergamonmuseum, National Museums in Berlin From the domed roof of the Palacio del Partal, one would see an early example of muqarnas decoration on the edges 16 wooden panels. The […]
Decorative Vaulting in the Iwan Entrance of Shah Mosque
Creator: Shaykh-i Bahāʾī Date: 1611-29 Type: facade Location: Isfahan, Iraq Medium: Plaster The geometric vaulting structure, muqarnas, is used for deconstructing zones of transition and for architectural decoration. It is a three-dimensional composition built by assembling a variation of small prismatic elements, comparable to portions of vaults and composed according to precise rules, in overlapping […]