revised
February 8, 2003
DECORATIVE STONES IN THE PRE-OTTOMAN
ISLAMIC BUILDINGS OF CAIRO, EGYPT
Part II:
INVENTORY OF STONES IN THE BUILDINGS
by
Prof. James A. Harrell, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Sciences
(Mail Stop #604)
The University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390, USA
Tele: 419-530-2193
Fax: 419-530-4421
E-mail: james.harrell@utoledo.edu
with the assistance of
Prof. Lorenzo Lazzarini, Ph.D.
Istituto Universitario di Architettura di
Venezia
Dipartimento di Storia dell'Architettura
Laboratorio di Analisi dei Materiali
Antichi
Palazzo Badoer, San Polo, n. 2554
30125 Venezia, Italia
E-mail: lorenzo@brezza.iuav.unive.it
and
Mr. Matthias Bruno
Via D'Ascanio, n. 1A
00186 Roma, Italia
E-mail: matthias@libero.it
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:
1. The
stone varieties are identified in this listing with brief descriptive phrases
or names that are keyed to the more detailed descriptions provided in Part I of
this document.
2. The
wall with the mihrab (a.k.a., "prayer niche") is always considered
the "east" wall.
3. A
"liwan" is a vaulted space and a "riwaq" is an arcaded hall
or portico (with columns or piers) where both open onto either a central
courtyard ("sahn") or the sunken space beneath a central dome. In
this document both features are referred to as a liwan, which is less precise
but a common practice. The "qibli liwan" is the sanctuary and
includes the prayer niche. Also in the qibli liwan are the "dikka", a
raised platform, and the "minbar", a pulpit. A "mastaba" is
a stone bench either just outside and flanking a building entrance or just
inside the foyer, and a "tabut" is a wooden or, more usually, a
marble cenotaph. Technically speaking, a cenotaph is a sepulchral monument for
a person who is buried elsewhere but the term is widely applied to tombs or
sepulchers in Cairo that do contain the bodies of the deceased.
4. Besides
mosques, several other types of Islamic buildings are included in this listing:
the "khanqah" is a residential institution for Muslim ascetics; the
"zawiya" is a chapel; the "kuttab" is a Quranic school for
young boys; the "madrassa" is a theological school for Muslim
scholars; the "mashhad" is a combination shrine and mausoleum; the
"maristan" is a hospital; the "sabil" is a public water
dispensary; and the "ma'qad" is a loggia (i.e., a roofed but open
gallery or arcade). A "bab" is a gate in the medieval city wall.
5. The
decorative stones included in this document are largely those found inside the
buildings (i.e., the exterior decorations are rarely described). The inside
stones occur as: doorway lintels, jambs and sills/thresholds; paneling on the
walls (variously referred to in the literature as stone or marble veneer,
facing, dado or opus sectile); arches, usually with interlocking blocks (the
joggling or marquetry of some writers); columns; and cenotaphs.
6. Identification
of the stones was not always easy or certain. The buildings are mostly poorly
lighted and the stone surfaces are often very dirty. Also, some stones are
located high up on the walls where they cannot be closely examined or, in the
case of pavements, they are covered by mats and so cannot be seen.
Identifications were aided by the use of a flashlight, water spray-dispenser
and cleaning rag, dilute hydrochloric acid (for testing calcite content), and
binoculars (for viewing the upper walls).
7. The
numbers given for each building include the official antiquities monument
number (e.g., #100), construction
date (e.g., 1300 AD), and map coordinates for the accompanying color map (e.g.,
B-9). The coordinates follow those on map sheets 1 and 2 of the
"Map of Cairo Showing Mohammedan Monuments" with the accompanying
"Index to Mohammedan Monuments in Cairo" published in 1951 by the
Survey of Egypt in Giza. Copies of these maps are included in Creswell (1952)
and Ministry of Waqfs (1992). Other useful but less complete maps for locating
Islamic monuments are in Williams (1993: maps 1-12 at the back of the book),
Seton-Williams and Stocks (1988: the 32 maps between pages 160-161), and the
SPARE (Society for the Preservation of the Architectural Resources of Egypt)
series of four maps for sale in Egypt's tourist shops.
8. The
buildings are listed below in chronological order.
9. The
majority of the buildings have been restored to various degrees. This almost
always involved the removal of deteriorated original stones and addition of new
decorative stones. The latter are noted as "new" or
"modern" where recognized. When these stones do not look new they may
be confused with the original ones. Also provided, where known, are the dates
of the restorations and who did them. The first modern restorations occurred
between 1882 and 1952, and were done by the Comité de la Conservation de l'Art
Arabe. Beginning in the 1950's and continuing up until today other restorations
have been done by private companies under contract to the Egyptian government
as well as by various foreign missions. Other renovations were also conducted
prior to the 1800's and in many cases it is not possible to distinguish between
the decorative stones from this work and the original construction.
The stones recognized in this
document are just those seen at the times of our visits (1996-2000). Current
'restoration' and 'conservation' efforts by the Supreme Council of Antiquities
and the private companies hired to do the work are now removing the old
decorative stones, if they are broken or badly weathered, and replacing them
with new marbles and limestones available on the Cairo market.
10. The
dates and names (including spellings) of the buildings are, for the most part,
those of Williams (1993). The years of the authors' visits are noted for each
building (JAH = James A. Harrell, LL = Lorenzo Lazzarini, and MB = Matthias
Bruno) as are also some useful references (using the abbreviated codes below
followed by the page numbers; e.g. C52, 56-60).
C52 Creswell, K. A. C., 1952, The Muslim
Architecture of Egypt. Vol. I — Ikhshids and Fatimids, A.D. 939-1171: Clarendon
Press (Oxford).
C59 Creswell,
K. A. C., 1959, The Muslim Architecture of Egypt. Vol. II — Ayyubids and Early
Bahrite Mamluks, A.D. 1171-1326: Clarendon Press (Oxford).
D21 Devonshire, R. L., 1921, Some Cairo Mosques, and
Their Founders: Constable (London).
H04 Harrell, J.A., 2004, Ornamental stones used in the zawiya/sabil of Farag Ibn Barquq in the Bab Zuwayla area of Cairo: Bulletin of the American Research Center in Egypt, n. 185, p. 18-23.
HW32 Hautecoeur, L. and G. Wiet, 1932, Les Mosquées du Caire
(2 vols.): Librairie Ernest Leroux (Paris).
MW92 Ministry of Waqfs, 1992, Mosques of Cairo (in two
volumns: I — p. 1-68, pl. 1-93; II — p. 69-141, pl. 94-242): Hazar Publishing
(London). [originally published in 1949; this reprinted facsimile edition
includes some new material]
S-WS88 Seton-Williams,
V. and P. Stocks, 1988, Blue Guide — Egypt: A & C Black (London).
B-A89 Behrens-Abouseif,
D., 1989, Islamic Architecture in Cairo:
E.
J. Brill (Leiden).
W02 Williams,
C., 2002, Islamic Monuments in Cairo — The Practical Guide (5th edition): The
American University in Cairo Press (Cairo).
11. The following paper by the author is the
only one yet published on the reuse of ancient stones (particularly of the
Roman period) in medieval Cairo buildings.
Harrell, J.A., L. Lazzarini and M. Bruno,
forthcoming, Reuse of Roman ornamental stones in medieval Cairo, Egypt; in
L. Lazzarini (ed.), ASMOSIA VI, Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone –
Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference of the Association for the
Study of Marble and Other Stones in Antiquity, Venice, June 15-18, 2000:
Aldo Ausilio-Bottega d'Erasmo Editore, Padova.
__________________________________________________________________________
I. Pre-Fatimid
Period (before 969 AD)
#79 Nilometer
on Roda Island (861 AD) A-13
Water levels are inscribed on a huge
octagonal column with a Corinthian capital. The surface is so coated and
discolored it's not clear what kind of stone the column is. It appears to be a
light gray marble and thus probably Proconnesian.
Visited by: JAH in '96.
References: B-A89, 50-51; W02,
32-34.
#220 Mosque
of Ahmad Ibn Tulun (876-9 AD) E-8/F-8/E-9/F-9
Restorations:
in 1890-1920 by the Comité.
The only decorative stone in the
mosque is associated with the mihrab.
Mihrab: 2 columns on each side — the
front 2 are Proconnesian marble (mottled light gray and dark bluish gray marble
with faulted layers), and the back two are bigio lumachellato and bigio antico.
The capitals are encased in open-work iron frames in the Byzantine style. The
floor is Proconnesian marble, and the interior panels include MP imperial
porphyry, cipollino rosso brecciato, a finely mottled light gray and dark
bluish gray marble (bigio antico ?), and "black" and
"white" marbles. The decorative stone in the mihrab reportedly dates
from the reign of Sultan Husan al-Din Lagin (1296-1299 AD). The two flanking
columns are apparently earlier. The dikka with its 4 supporting columns is of
Proconnesian marble.
Visited
by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB & LL in '99.
References:
C59, 223-229; B-A89, 51-57; S-WS88, 352; MW92, 10-15; W02, 46-51.
#319 Mosque
of Amr Ibn al-As (827-1977 AD) B-13
Restoration: in the 1930's by the Comité,
and in the 1970's by others.
There are 132 columns in the qibli
liwan; the west, south and north liwans have modern concrete pillars. According
to a man who works here, the stone columns were installed in the 14th century.
The oldest part of the mosque is the tomb in the northeast corner (to left of
the mihrab). There is no other decorative stone in the mosque.
Qibli liwan: almost all columns are
Proconnesian marble, including the two flanking the mihrab. Other stones are:
bigio antico (7), bigio lumachellato (5), pavonazzetto (3), breccia di
Settebassi (2, white variety), and greco scritto (1). The columns have a
variety of Corinthian capitals.
Exterior entrances: 4 Proconnesian
marble columns flank the two entrances on the west side.
Visited
by: JAH in '96; MB in '99.
References:
B-A89, 47-51; MW92, 8-9; S-WS88, 393; W02, 36-37.
II. Fatimid
Period (969-1170 AD)
#97 Mosque
of al-Azhar (and associated madrasas) (970-1999 AD) H-5
Restoration: there have been many
additions and restorations over the centuries with particularly extensive ones
in the 1880's and 1890's by the Comité, and again in the 1990's by the Supreme
Council of Antiquities. With the exception of the several scores of columns in
the mosque, very little of the original decorative stone remains. The madrasas
of Taybars, Aqbughawiya and Gewhar Qunqubay were at one time richly decorated
with such stones but these have now been largely replaced with new marbles.
MOSQUE
Columns around the central courtyard:
almost all are Proconnesian marble but three are bigio antico. These were
reportedly installed during the late 19th century restoration but
they are nevertheless probably of ancient derivation. Those in the liwans (or,
more correctly, the riwaqs) are probably all ancient but when they were brought
into the mosque is uncertain. The capitals include a variety of Corinthian and,
less commonly, Byzantine types. The courtyard and portico pavements are all new
light gray marble.
Columns in the south and north liwans:
Proconnesian marble, possibly marmo bianco di Carrara, and a brecciated light
gray/black marble (U3) at the west end of the north liwan. The capitals include
a variety of Byzantine and mostly Corinthian types.
Columns in the outer qibli liwan: mostly
Proconnesian marble with some unknown "brecciated pink marble" and
some micro-faulted gray-banded white marble (probably a variety of
Proconnesian). The single bare mihrab is flanked by two round columns of what
looks like cipollino rosso venato and is the same as the new material used
elsewhere in the mosque for renovations.
Columns and mihrabs in the inner qibli
liwan: mostly Proconnesian marble columns plus several columns of
"brecciated light gray/black marble" (U3). These, along with other
decorative stones, were installed in the mid-1700's. The central mihrab is
flanked by two round columns of cipollino rosso venato (new?) and two small
panels of the same stone. The rest of the mihrab appears to be new stone: light
and dark gray marbles with smaller pieces of non-fossiliferous red limestone
and astracane dorato d'Egitto. Plate 91 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2)
shows an earlier polychrome marble paneling within the mihrab and on the walls
outside of it. There are two mihrabs on the south side of the central one and
only the closest has decorative stone and it's all new (flanking round columns
of broccato di Verona, and a geometric design using light and dark gray
marbles, fossiliferous red limestone, astracane dorato d'Egitto and a pink
limestone conglomerate (U6). All paving and other wall stones are new light
gray marble.
MADRASA/MAUSOLEUM OF AMIR GEWHAR
QUNQUBAY (1440 AD)
Restored
in 1980-82 by the Danish Academy of Fine Arts
Wall panels: originally MP greenish
black porphyry and verde antico among other stones (seen in 1996); now all
removed and replaced with new marbles except for the floor rota of MP greenish
black porphyry.
MADRASA OF TAYBARS (1309-1310 AD)
All the decorative stone is new except
for the two round, 2.8 m high columns of MP imperial porphyry flanking the
mihrab. Creswell (1959: 253-254) says "this beautiful mihrab, one of the
finest in Cairo" used many pieces of "coloured marble" for colonnettes
and panels. Other marble panels are seen on the adjacent walls in his
photographs and in plate 105 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) and plate 53
of Ministry of Waqfs (1992). All of this original paneling was replaced with
new marbles in the 1990's.
MADRASA OF AQBUGHAWIYA (1340 AD)
All the decorative stone appears to be
new. There are some panels of cipollino rosso venato that are probably new.
Perhaps the light gray and Proconnesian marble columns are original. They
appear to be ancient but may have been installed in the late 19th
century. Four of these are hexagonal and flank the two mihrabs. Plate 106 of
Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) and plate 60 of Ministry of Waqfs (1992)
show an earlier (original?) mihrab with a single tier of tall narrow stone
panels and other stone panels on the walls adjacent to the mihrab, including
some with an unknown breccia.
Visited by: JAH in '96, '98 & '99; MB
in '99.
References: C52, 36-64, 254-257; C59,
253-254; B-A89, 58-63; MW92, 16-20; S-WS88, 256; W02, 151-154.
#15 Mosque
of al-Hakim (990-1013 AD) H-3
Restoration: extensively in 1981 by
Bohras, an Ismaili Shiite sect in India. It was previously largely in ruins and
so the Comité did not attempt to restore it.
The mosque is entirely reconstructed
with all new decorative stones except for 16 ancient (?) columns in the qibli
liwan: 12 around the mihrab and 4 more at the entrance to the liwan opposite
the mihrab.
Mihrab: 10 columns are Proconnesian
marble and 2 columns are marmo bianco di Carrara, all with new Islamic capitals
and bases. Within the mihrab are 2 new, light gray marble columns; the same
marble is used to panel the wall of the niche. Plate 23 of Hautecoeur and Wiet
(1932; vol. 2) shows a mihrab and adjacent walls richly decorated with an
earlier (c. 1808) polychrome stone paneling that was all removed by Bohras.
Qibli liwan entrance: 2 columns are
on each side of the entrance: cipollino verde (1), bigio antico ? (1), and
marmo bianco di Carrara (2).
Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB
in '99.
References: C52, 65-106; B-A89,
63-65; MW92, 21-24; S-WS88, 231; W02, 182-183.
#515 Mosque of
al-Lulua (1016 AD) J-11
According
to Creswell (1952: 113-115) there is no decorative stone inside.
Not
visited.
Other
references: W02, 117-118.
#304 Mosque of
al-Guyushi (1085 AD) J-10
From
published descriptions, it is clear that there is no decorative stone inside
except for 4 "marble" columns in the qibli liwan. Empty recesses
indicate that it originally had 2 more columns flanking the mihrab.
Not
visited. The site is in a military area and so requires a special permit to
visit.
References:
B-A89, 66-67; MW92, 25; S-WS88, 375; W02, 118-121.
#6 Bab al-Futuh (1087 AD) H-3
#7 Bab al-Nasr (1087 AD) H-3
#199 Bab Zuwayla (1091 AD) G-5
There are horizontal columns within
and perpendicular to the walls. These have a small but definite range of
diameters and end types. Some ends have a collar and some have a central hole.
JAH was able to closely examine one column at Bab al-Nasr: it's definitely a
light gray marble and probably Proconnesian. The other column ends were too
inaccessible, dirty or discolored to make identifications.
According to Creswell (1952:
195-196), there are numerous blocks on which Pharaonic hieroglyphics and/or
reliefs appear. These are probably either Aswan granite or granodiorite, or
siliceous sandstone. The occurrences are as follows: (1) above the last window
in the spiral staircase leading to the platform on top of Bab al-Nasr [19th
Dynasty, probably Ramesside]; (2) on top of the quarter-round molding at the
southwest corner of the Staircase Tower salient [19th Dynasty,
probably Ramesside]; (3) on a slab used for covering the last arrow-slit in the
gallery between the Bab al-Futuh and Staircase Tower [19th Dynasty,
Ramesses II]; (4) on the Aswan granite lintel spanning the doorway at the
east-side entrance to the Staircase Tower, just west of Bab al-Futuh [18th
Dynasty, Thutmosis IV and Amenophis III]; (5) on three blocks inside the
Staircase Tower, one on the 6th landing of the staircase under the
left window, and two on the second to last flight of the staircase [all
apparently 18th Dynasty]; (6) a block in the pavement on top of the
Staircase Tower near the southeast corner [19th Dynasty, Ramesses
II]; and (7) a large block forming part of the second step below the west-side
entrance to the Staircase Tower [age unknown].
Visited by: JAH in '96.
References: C52, 161-217; B-A89,
67-72; S-WS88, 226, 229, 274; W02, 141-142,183-185.
#333 Mausoleum of
Sayyida Atika and Muhammad al-Gafari (c. 1122 AD) F-9
This building is kept closed and locked,
and so is inaccessible. According to a local resident, there is no decorative
stone inside. This is confirmed by Creswell (1952: 228-232).
Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.
References: S-WS88, 337; W02, 110.
#516 Mausoleum of Umm
Kulthum (1122 AD) G-13
According
to Creswell (1952: 239-241) there is no decorative stone inside except for 4
marble columns. Empty recesses indicate that 2 more columns originally flanked
the mihrab.
Not
visited.
Other
references: S-WS88, 391; W02, 124-125.
#33 Mosque
of al-Aqmar (1125 AD) H-3/H-4
Restoration: in the late 14th
and early 19th centuries, and again by the Comité about 1901.
Entrance sill: uninscribed Aswan
granodiorite.
The only other ancient stones are
columns: 8 around the courtyard (2 on each side), 8 in the qibli liwan, and 2
flanking the mihrab. Except where otherwise noted, these have a variety of
Corinthian capitals. The courtyard and liwan pavements are of hard/dense
Mokattam nummulitic limestone.
Courtyard columns: 6 are
Proconnesian marble but the two flanking the entrance are cipollino verde and
breccia di Settebassi.
Qibli liwan columns: all are
Proconnesian marble except for two bigio lumachellato.
Mihrab columns: octagonal
Proconnesian marble with Islamic capitals. The wall is covered with a new
dolomitic marble (possibly Thasian, M12).
Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB
& LL in '99.
References: C52, 241-146; B-A89,
72-74; MW92, 26-28; S-WS88, 235; W02, 176-178.
#301 Mausoleum of
Ikhwat Yusuf (1125-50 AD) J-10
According to Creswell (1952: 234-236)
there is no decorative stone inside. Empty recesses indicate that it originally
had 2 marble columns flanking the mihrab.
Not
visited.
Other
references: W02, 118.
#273 Mashhad/Mausoleum
of Sayyida Ruqayya (1133 AD) F-9
Restoration:
in 1916 by the Comité.
This
building is kept closed and locked, and so is inaccessible. However, from published
descriptions it is apparent that there is no decorative stone inside except for
several "marble" columns reportedly installed by the Comité.
Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.
References: C52, 247-253; B-A89, 74-75;
MW92, 29-30; W02, 110-111.
#285 Mausoleum of
Yahya al-Shabihi (1150 AD) G-13
There is no decorative stone inside
except for 12 columns of light gray marble (probably Proconnesian) with a
variety of Corinthian capitals (there are also 4 columns of Mokattam
limestone).
Visited by: JAH in '96.
References: C52, 264-269; B-A89,
75-76; S-WS88, 390; W02, 125.
#315 Mausoleum of
Muhammad al-Hasawati (1150 AD) G-12
According
to Creswell (1952: 259-260) there is no decorative stone inside.
Not
visited.
Other
references: W02, 125-126.
#284 Mausoleum of
Qasim al-Tayyib (c. 1150 AD) G-13
According
to Creswell (1952: 269-270) there is no decorative stone inside.
Not
visited.
Other
references: S-WS88, 391.
#28 Mosque/Mashhad
of Sayyidna al-Husayn (1154 AD) H-4
The
only original part of the Fatimid structure is the Bab al-Akhdar entrance in
the southeast corner. All the decorative stone inside dates from the mid- to
late 1800's.
Visited
by: JAH in '96.
References:
C52, 271-273; MW92, 31-32; W93, 216-217.
#116
Mosque of Salih Tala'i (1160 AD) G-5/G-6
Restoration: originally in the 1400's,
later by the Comité between 1915-1930, and finally in the late 1990's by the
Egyptian Antiquities Project of the American Research Center in Egypt.
EXTERIOR
WALLS
On the lower parts of these walls (below
modern street level) the circular ends of numerous columns can be seen. As with
the immediately adjacent Bab Zuwayla, these are laid horizontally within the
walls to give them strength. Most if not all of them are of light gray marble,
probably Proconnesian.
WEST
SIDE ENTRANCE
The 4 columns are Proconnesian marble
with identical Corinthian capitals. The door sill is either astracane dorato
(d'Egitto?) or possibly a rare yellow variety of occhio di pavone rosso.
COURTYARD
AND QIBLI LIWAN
There are 22 columns around the edge of
the courtyard and another 12 inside the qibli liwan. These have a variety of
Corinthian and Byzantine capitals, and are all Proconnesian marble. The only
other decorative stone in the mosque are the 2 octagonal columns of cipollino
rosso brecciato flanking the bare mihrab. These have Islamic capitals and
bases. By one account, a "polychrome marble mosaic" existed within
the mihrab in 1877.
Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB
& LL in '99.
References: C52, 275-288; B-A89, 76-77;
MW92, 33-34; S-WS88, 216; W02, 193-194.
III. Ayyubid
Period (1171-1250 AD)
#281 Mausoleum
of Imam al-Shafi (1211 AD) G-12
Renovations: this building has been
repeatedly renovated over the centuries and, by the look of it, very
extensively within the last few decades. Creswell (1959: 68-70) reported seeing
a "tall marble dado in good condition" in the early part of this
century that reportedly dates to the reign of Sultan Qaytbay in the late 15th
century. However, it appears that many of the wall panels are recent
replacements because they look freshly polished and include varieties of marble
quarried only in modern times. The only obvious ancient stones are 4 panels of
MP imperial porphyry high up on the outside wall of the entrance from the adjoining
Ottoman-period mosque of the Imam al-Shafi. Inside the mausoleum all the walls
are paneled in cipollino rosso brecciato, fior di pesco ?, broccato di Verona,
verde Tenos (or perhaps verde alpi), yellow astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and
many varieties of light and dark gray marbles. All of these stones are
available today. The only other original stone is a freestanding, richly
engraved column of Proconnesian marble.
Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.
References: C52, 64-76; B-A89, 85-87;
MW92, 35-36; S-WS88, 385; W02, 122-124.
#282 Mausoleum of
Amir Abu Mansur Ismail (1216 AD) G-13
According
to Creswell (1959: 77-80) there is no decorative stone inside.
Not
visited.
Other
references: S-WS88, 390.
#428 Madrasa of
Sultan al-Kamil Ayyub [the "Kamiliya"] (1229 AD) H-4
Now in
ruins and, according to Creswell (1959: 80-83), with no decorative stone
inside.
Not
visited.
Other
references: S-WS88, 239; W02, 173.
#276 Mausoleum of the
Abbasid Khalifs (1242 AD) F-10
According
to Creswell (1959: 88-94) there is no decorative stone inside.
Not
visited.
Other
references: S-WS88, 341; W02, 113-114.
#38 Madrasa/Mausoleum
of al-Salih Nagm al-Din Ayyub (1242-50 AD) H-4
Restoration: in 1992 by the German
Institute of Archaeology in Cairo.
The madrasa is now in ruins with
only portions of the walls still surviving. Creswell (1959:98-99) reports
seeing 2 "marble" columns and places for at least 12 more.
MAUSOLEUM
Mihrab: is reportedly the earliest known
example of a marble-paneled mihrab in Egypt, but much of it is now new stone.
It has 2 flanking columns of WH conglomerate, now with Islamic capitals. The
panels include cipollino rosso brecciato (2), bianco e nero antico (2), WUE
serpentinite (4), black limestone/marble (2), and an unknown mottled
red/pink/white marble. Only the first two stones are likely to be original.
There is new black and white marble trim with a horizontal course of new WUE
serpentinite. The latter includes 3 small pieces of original verde antico.
Devonshire (1921: 28), writing prior to the renovation, describes the mihrab,
excluding the flanking columns, as "denuded of its decoration".
Pavement: some original ? slabs of
Proconnesian marble with mainly a variety of new light and dark gray marbles.
Entrance: sill is brown siliceous
sandstone with a pharaonic relief.
Visited by: JAH in '96, '97 &
'99; MB in '99.
References: C59, 94-103; B-A89,
87-91; MW92, 37-38; S-WS88, 249; W02, 162-163.
#169 Mausoleum
of Shagar al-Durr (1250
AD) F-9
Restoration:
in the early 1900's by the Comité.
This building is kept closed and locked,
and so is inaccessible. According to a local resident, there is no decorative
stone inside. This is confirmed by Creswell (1959: 138).
Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.
References: C59, 136-141; B-A89, 91-93;
S-WS88, 336; W02, 109-110.