islamic art-cupboards-wood inlaid with bone or ivory-inv.n.2472+2475-from a house at al Mahalla al Kubra-Ottoman 1176/1762-MIA...

these cupboards would have occupied one of the main reception rooms of a wealthy merchant's house. the inscription on the right hand piece gives the name of the owner and the date. the corresponding inscription on the left hand side is Qur'an 3:1700 celebrating the bounty of God. the inlaid bone or ivory is laid in flat panels as was common in the Mamluk period. mashrabiya (turned woodwork) is used in the upper parts and it is probable that the floral sprays lightly incised on the lower arches would also have been painted-wood inlaid with bone or ivory-inv.n.2472+2475-from a house at al Mahalla al Kubra-Ottoman 1176/1762-MIA - 20 07 10 013