Panel with Cusped Arches
Unknown Artist
14th century
Medium
Wood (cedar); carved and painted
Dimensions
H. 19 in. (48.3 cm) W. 121 in. (307.3 cm) D. 2 3/4 in. (7cm) Wt. including crate 247 lbs. (112 kg) crate maybe half of this weight.
Classification
Wood
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher and Rogers Fund, by exchange, 1985
Accession Number
1985.241
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Panel with Cusped Arches*, in the 14th century by an artist, exemplifies the refined woodwork of Islamic art. Fashioned from cedar wood, meticulously carved and painted, the panel measures an impressive 121 inches wide by 19 inches high, suggesting it once adorned a grand architectural setting—perhaps a mosque, palace, or madrasa. Its slender depth of just under 3 inches and substantial weight (around 247 pounds including its crate) highlight the craftsmanship required to create such a durable yet decorative element. Cusped arches, a hallmark of Mamluk-era architecture in Egyp...