V.      Burgi or Circassian Mamluk Period (1382-1516 AD)

 

#187    Madrasa/Khanqah and Mausoleum of Sultan al-Zahir Barquq (1384-6 AD) H-4

 

            Restoration: about 1892 by the Comité.

 

            PASSAGEWAY FROM ENTRANCE TO MADRASA/KHANQAH COURTYARD

 

            Pavement: "white" (some Proconnesian) and "black" (some bigio lumachellato) marbles, plus red and orange limestones. There is a large MP black porphyry rota just inside the entrance and a MP imperial porphyry rota just outside.

 

            MADRASA/KHANQAH COURTYARD

 

            Pavement: many nice rectangular slabs and rotae of MP imperial porphyry, MP black and greenish black porphyries, unknown fossiliferous (rudist pelecypods) dark gray marble, marmo bianco di Carrara, Proconnesian marble, marmo Pentelio and bardiglio di Carrara. Many MP porphyry rotae and slabs show saw marks! "Black" and "white" marbles are used for trim. The fountain is made of Proconnesian marble, and its columns have Islamic capitals.

 

            MADRASA/KHANQAH INTERIOR

 

            Columns under dome: 4 huge Aswan granite columns with Corinthian capitals.

 

            Dikka: Proconnesian marble.

 

            Pavement: consists of red limestone, unknown fossiliferous (rudist pelecypods) dark gray marble, and Proconnesian and other light gray marbles with a large rota of MP imperial porphyry in the center.

 

            Panels on the west, north and south walls (only along the base): MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, bigio lumachellato?, "black" marble, and apparently new panels of hard/dense Mokattam limestone, verde alpi, marmo bianco di Carrara and broccato di Verona.

 

            Panels on the east wall (from base to high up): rotae and rectangular slabs of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, and 4 small rotae of bianco e nero antico. Proconnesian and "black" marbles are used for the trim and blue faience inserts are common.

 

            Mihrab: 4 flanking columns (2 on each side) are astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). These are octagonal and have matching Islamic capitals. The lower tier of panels consists of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, verde antico, and an unknown mottled red marble (possibly rosso antico). The upper tier panels are of verde antico and the same unknown mottled red marble. Red and blue faience inserts are common. The floor slabs are MP imperial porphyry, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and light and dark gray marbles.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            Wall panels (on all four sides up to a considerable height): MP imperial porphyry (rotae and rectangular panels), MP greenish black porphyry (rotae only), and lots of new? yellowish and pinkish stone that might be broccato di Verona. High up on the north and south walls (in the centers) are a few panels of cipollino rosso venato. The walls also have blue faience disks.

 

            Mihrab: MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, and red-and-white breccia (variety unknown). There are no flanking columns.

 

            Pavement (interior and courtyard): like much of the stone on the walls, the pavement seems to be mostly new. It consists of Proconnesian and Carrara marbles, red limestone, and broccato di Verona. At the entrance of the passageway leading to the mausoleum is a large slab of MP imperial porphyry (the reddish black variety).

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB & LL in '99.

 

            References: R76; B-A89, 133-135; MW92, 69-73; S-WS88, 239; W02,170-171.

 

#118    Madrasa of Inal al-Yusufi (or Atabki) (1392-3) G-6

 

            There is no decorative stone inside except for the octagonal light gray marble columns with Islamic capitals flanking the bare mihrab.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 319; W02, 99.

 

#117    Mosque of Mahmud al-Kurdi (1395 AD) G-6

 

            The mosque is in a ruinous state, and the only decorative stones are in the courtyard pavement and qibli liwan mihrab.

 

            COURTYARD PAVEMENT

 

            There are 6 rotae: 4 of MP imperial porphyry and 2 of astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). There are also panels of cipollino rosso venato, bigio lumachellato and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) plus geometric designs using smaller pieces of "black" and "white" marbles, red limestone, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?).

 

            PRAYER NICHE

 

            Panels: MP imperial and greenish black porphyries (both lower and upper tiers). "Black" and "white" marble strips are used for geometric designs.

 

            There are two flanking columns but they are painted red and so cannot be identified.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 319; W02, 98-99.   

 

#177    Mosque of Muqbil al-Dawudi [al-Rumi] (1395 AD) G-4

 

            Completely rebuilt inside with no decorative stone now present.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

            References: S-WS88, 283.

 

#149    Mosque/Mausoleum of al-Nasr Farag Ibn Barquq (1400-11 AD) L-4

 

            Restoration: in the early to mid-1900's by the Comité.

 

            NORTHWEST ENTRANCE AND PASSAGEWAY

 

            At the entrance there is an uninscribed sill of Aswan granite, but in the passageway leading to the mosque there is a sill of Aswan granodiorite with a faint Pharaonic relief. Another uninscribed Aswan granite sill occurs at the courtyard portal. The other courtyard portals may also have Aswan granite or granodiorite sills.

 

            MOSQUE

 

            The courtyard and surrounding liwans are all undecorated, except for 6 columns flanking the three mihrabs in the qibli liwan (2 each). The central niche has round columns and the lateral ones have octagonal columns — all are light gray marble with Islamic capitals.

 

            MAUSOLEUM (on south/right side)

 

            Essentially all the decorative stone is new: "black", "white" and mottled pink/purple marbles, porous travertine, and verde alpi. Only a few of the original ? wall panels exist, and these are of verde antico and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). Plate 158 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) shows the pre-restoration stone paneling in the mihrab and on the east wall.

 

            MAUSOLEUM (on north/left side)

 

            All the decorative stone is new (same ones as in the other mausoleum) except for a few panels and rotae of MP imperial porphyry, MP black and greenish black porphyries, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?).

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96.

 

            References: B-A89, 135-138; MW92, 74-77; S-WS88, 292; W02, 212-214.

 

#203    Zawiya/Sabil of al-Nasr Farag Ibn Barquq (1408 AD) G-5

 

This small building is rich with decorative stones which is unusual for a pre-Ottoman zawiya/sabil in Cairo. The stones and their distributions are illustrated in Figures FIB-1, FIB-2, FIB-3, FIB-4, FIB-5a and FIB-5b.

 

The codes used on these figures are different from those employed elsewhere in this document. The numbers correspond to the following materials: 1 = WB quartz diorite (E4), 2 = WUS diorite (E5), 3 = MP imperial porphyry (E1), 4 = verde antico (I22), 5 = WH graywacke (E8), 6 = mottled pink limestone/marble (U10), 7 = dark gray to black limestone/marble (U2), 8 = gray-banded Proconnesian marble (I16), 9 = non-banded light gray marble (probably either Proconnesian and/or marmo bianco di Carrara, I14a), 9a = same as #9 but painted red, 9b = same as 9 but with black paste inlays, 9c = same as 9 but with red faience and black paste inlays, 9d = same as 9 but with blue faience inlays, 9e = same as 9 but with elaborate mosaic inlays (mother-of-pearl, red and blue faience, black limestone/marble like #7, and red limestone like #13), 10 = occhio di pavone rosso (I18), 11 = fossiliferous red limestone (U4), 12 = bigio lumachellato (I3b), 13 = mihrab mosaic (dark gray to black limestone/marble like #7, and red and green limestones), 14 = mihrab mosaic like #13 but with orange astracane dorato (d'Egitto?, E18), 15 = astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), 16 = black marble with white veins (possibly nero antico, I17), 17 = basalt (E15), 18 = Mokattam limestone (E17), 19 = cipollino rosso brecciato? (I10b), 20 = red terracotta, and X = missing stone panel.

 

Visited by: JAH in '96.

 

References: S-WS88, 317; W02, 97; H04.

 

#35      Mosque of Gamal al-Din al-Ustadar (1408 AD) H-4

 

            At the time it was visited, this mosque was undergoing extensive renovation. The mosque consits of four liwans around a central, open courtyard. Only the qibli liwan has decorative stone. Some of this had already been removed but enough remained to give a good idea of what was originally present. How much of original stone will be reinstalled is uncertain.

 

               Qibli Liwan

 

            West wall panels: large slabs of MP imperial porphyry and verde antico.

 

            North wall panels: large slabs of MP imperial porphyry, WUS diorite, and cipollino rosso venato (an especially good example!).

 

            South wall panels: only one large slab of MP imperial porphyry remains.

 

            East wall panels: large slabs and rotae of MP imperial porphyry

 

            Mihrab: flanked by 2 slender, round columns of verde antico with new "white" marble Islamic capitals and bases. Inside there is a single lower tier of panels (from l. to r.): new verde alpi (replacing verde antico), MP imperial porphyry, verde antico joined to a piece of verde alpi, MP imperial porphyry, bianco e nero antico joined to a piece of black limestone, MP imperial porphyry [center], biano e nero antico joined to a piece of black limestone, MP imperial porphyry, verde alpi, MP imperial porphyry, and verde antico. The upper half of the mihrab has a geometric design with thin strips of "white" marble, red and black limestone, and blue faience. The same three stones were used outside the mihrab, on the east wall for a striped and joggled pattern.

 

            The trim for the walls and mihrab is in "white" marble and black limestone.

 

            According to the contractor responsible for the renovation work, the new pavements for the four liwans and central courtyard will consist of black limestone (from Spain), red limestone (from Belgium) and a white marble (from Egypt).

 

               Sabil

 

            The only surviving decorative stone in this structure is the "white" marble and black limestone used in the pavement.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 221; W02, 189-190.

           

#151    Mosque of Qanibay al-Mohammadi (1413 AD) F-8

 

            The only decorative stones inside are 4 columns of light gray marble (2 flanking each of the 2 mihrabs) and, in a small room on the north side of the mosque, a pavement with panels of mostly a variety of light gray and dark gray marbles but also with two panels each of MP greenish black porphyry and Aswan granodiorite.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 360; W02, 57.

 

#190 Mosque/Mausoleum of Sultan al-Muayyad Shaykh (1415-22 AD) G-5

 

            Restoration: in 1882-1892 by the Comité, and again during 2000-2002.

 

            EAST SIDE ENTRANCE

 

            Outside: the walls are of basalt and "white" marble; the benches are Mokattam limestone; the jogging below the benches consists of "black" and "white" marbles; the door sill is Proconnesian marble; and the door jambs are massive blocks of Aswan granite. From the size (about 5 m high) and shape of the jambs they may be architraves from a Roman temple. The pavement has a variety of light and dark gray marbles. At the top of the two light gray marble stairways are panels of broccato di Verona.

 

            Foyer, inside: same pavement as on the outside.

 

            A doorway on the right/north side of the foyer leads to a hallway, the east end of which has a pavement of 2 rotae of MP imperial porphyry as well as slabs of light and dark gray marbles.

 

            MOSQUE

 

              Qibli Liwan

 

            Only the qibli liwan survives. The walls are covered with stone panels up to a height of 7-8 m.

 

            Columns: 28 Proconnesian marble columns — 22 are circular with identical Corinthian capitals, and 6 are octagonal with Islamic capitals.

 

            Dikka: Proconnesial marble.

 

            Pavement: Mokattam limestone.

 

            North wall panels (see Figure SM-1): MP imperial porphyry, MP greenish black and black porphyries, WUS diorite, WB quartz diorite, verde antico, cipollino rosso brecciato and venato, verde alpi, portoro, fossiliferous red limestone, porfido nero grafico, and pavonazzetto.

 

            South wall panels (see Figure SM-2): MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, WB quartz diorite, Aswan granodiorite, MC gneiss, verde antico, cipollino rosso brecciato and venato, bianco e nero antico, portoro, fossiliferous red limestone, breccia rosso appeninica, and verde alpi. This wall originally had two arched openings but these were partially filled in and covered over with stone paneling in 1838.

 

            Northeast wall panels and rotae (left of mihrab; see Figure SM-3): MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, Aswan granodiorite, verde antico, bianco e nero antico, porfido serpentino verde, verde alpi, fossiliferous red limestone, and "white" marble.

 

            Southeast wall panels and rotae (right of mihrab; see Figure SM-4): MP imperial porphyry, MP greenish black and black porphyries, WUS diorite, WH conglomerate, Aswan granodiorite and granite-granodiorite, verde antico, cipollino rosso brecciato, porfido serpentino verde, verde alpi, fossiliferous red limestone, bigio antico, bardiglio di Carrara, occhio di pavone minuto (a finer-grained variety of occhio di pavone rosso), and "white" marble.

 

            Rotae directly above the mihrab: MP imperial porphyry and, in the center, porfido serpentino verde.

 

            The panels are framed with thin strips of "black" and "white" marbles, and occasionally astracane dorato (d'Egitto?).

 

            Mihrab: the single, lower tier of panels consists of (from l. to r.) — MP imperial porphyry, Aswan granodiorite, cipollino rosso brecciato, verde antico, MP imperial porphyry, Aswan granodiorite, cipollino rosso brecciato, verde antico (at center) with the same sequence, in reverse, continuing on the right side. Trim is of "black" and "white" marbles. The two flanking columns are MP imperial porphyry (the agglomerate variety).

 

              Courtyard

 

            Fountain: light gray marble.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            Cenotaphs: light gray (in part, Proconnesian) marble. Along the base of the larger cenotaph are panels of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, WH conglomerate, and light and dark gray marbles (see Figure SM-5).

 

            Pavement: dark and light gray marbles.

 

            The walls and mihrab are undecorated.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96, '97, '98 & '99; MB & LL in '99.

 

            References: B-A89, 138-140; MW92, 78-79; S-WS88, 270; W02, 143-144.

 

#184    Mosque of Abd al-Ghani al-Fakhri (1418 AD) F-5

 

            Restoration: in 1895 by the Comité.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            The mausoleum is almost totally destroyed and nothing much remains except the 2 cenotaphs of light gray marble.

 

            MOSQUE

 

            The mosque is newly renovated and the only original decorative stone are 2 columns (Ptolemaic?) of Aswan granodiorite in the qibli liwan. These are about 4.5 m high and may be the largest in Cairo for this stone variety. Both columns have Corinthian capitals. There are also 2 octagonal columns (with Islamic capitals) of light gray marble flanking the mihrab. The same stone is used for the dikka. There is a door sill of Aswan granodiorite at the main entrance and two more of granite inside the mosque (all of these sills are probably original).

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97 & '99; MB in '99.

 

            References: W02, 130.

 

#257    Maristan of Sultan al-Muayyad Shaykh (1418-20 AD) G-8

 

            This building is an empty shell with only some of the walls standing. The sill at the entrance is a large block of uninscribed Aswan granite.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: B-A89, 140; S-WS88, 316; W02, 70.

 

#60      Mosque of Qadi Abd al-Basit (1420 AD) G-3

 

According to plate 111 in Ministry of Waqfs (1992), the only ornamental stone inside is in the richly decorated pavement of the courtyard (with numerous porphyry? rotae) and qibli liwan. The courtyard pavement is now gone and replaced with ceramic tiles. The walls of the qibli liwan are bare but there is a pavement with a geometric pattern in "white" marble, and red and black limestones. Flanking the bare mihrab are 2 round columns of either breccia di Settebassi or, less likely, pavonazzetto with "white" marble Islamic capitals and bases. A step at the northeast mosque entrance is of MP greenish black porphyry. 

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 284; MW92, 80. 

 

#107    Mosque of Kufur al-Ziman (1425 AD) H-5

 

There is no decorative stone inside except for the two hexagonal light gray marble columns flanking the mihrab.

 

Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

References: S-WS88, 268.

 

#175    Madrasa/Khanqah/Mausoleum of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay (1425 AD) G-4/H-4

 

            ENTRANCE

 

There is a sill of uninscribed Aswan granodiorite at the outer entrance, and sills of both Aswan granite and granodiorite at the two exits from the entrance foyer. At the back of the foyer (opposite the entrance) there is a mastaba paved with 2 slabs of MP imperial porphyry, 1 of MP greenish black porphyry and at least 1 of bigio antico. The rest of the decorative stone on the mastaba and floor in the foyer appears to be mostly new Proconnesian marble and marmo bianco di Carrara. These same two marbles pave the passageway and the central open courtyard of the madrasa.

 

            MADRASA QIBLI LIWAN

 

North wall: the only decorative stone is around the window niche. On the floor of the niche is a slab of light gray marble, and below it on the wall are 3 small panels of WUS diorite, WH conglomerate, and MP greenish black porphyry.

 

South wall: the only decorative stone is again around the window niche. On the floor of the niche is a slab of MP imperial porphyry, and below it on the wall are 3 small panels of WUS diorite (1) and MP greenish black porphyry (2).

 

East wall — to the left of the mihrab: in the lower part all that is left is 1 rota of MP greenish black porphyry (two others are missing); and in the upper part there are 4 rotae and 2 panels of MP imperial porphyry. One of the latter closest to the prayer niche is flanked by 2 panels of bardiglio di Carrara (the same arrangement probably exists on the right side but is hidden behind the minbar).

 

East wall — to the right of the mihrab: in the lower part there are panels of MP imperial porphyry and fossiliferous red limestone, and 2 rotae of MP greenish black porphyry (one other is missing); and in the upper part there are 4 rotae and 1 panel of MP imperial porphyry.

 

Mihrab: flanking it are 2 octagonal columns of Proconnesian marble with Islamic capitals and bases, and, on the walls on both sides, panels of fossiliferous red limestone below and porfido nero grafico above. Inside the niche is a single, lower tier of panels (from l. to r.): MP greenish black porphyry (with a small piece of WUS diorite at top), MP imperial porphyry, verde antico, MP imperial porphyry, verde antico, MP imperial porphyry, WB quartz diorite (with small pieces of WUS diorite both above and below) in the center, and the same sequence in reverse on the right side (except the last MP imperial porphyry is missing). In the upper part of the mihrab there is a geometric pattern in the usual light and dark gray marbles, and red and yellow to orange (astracane dorato d'Egitto?) limestones.

 

The trim throughout the east wall is of light and dark gray marbles, and red and black limestones.

 

Pavement: consists of geometric patterns made with light and dark gray marbles, and fossiliferous red limestone.

 

WEST LIWAN

 

Devoid of decorative stone except for the pavement: consists of geometric patterns made with light and dark gray marbles, and fossiliferous red limestone.

 

NORTH AND SOUTH LIWANS

 

The walls are bare but the pavements are richly decorated. They consist of slabs and rotae of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, and WUS diorite with a trim of light and dark gray marbles. The same trim is found on the low wall surrounding the sunken courtyard.

 

MAUSOLEUM

 

This has no decorative stone except for the cenotaph and pavement of light gray marble. At the entrance to the passageway leading to the mausoleum is a paving slab of MP greenish black porphyry.

 

Visited by: JAH, MB & LL in '99.

 

References: MW92, 81-82; S-WS88, 254; W02, 161.

 

#119    Madrasa of Amir Gani Bak (1426-7 AD) G-6

 

Restoration: in 1896 by the Comité, and in 1990 by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

 

            The only decorative stones are in the courtyard pavement and mihrab. The entrance has a sill of uninscribed brown siliceous sandstone.

 

            COURTYARD PAVEMENT

 

            There are 4 rotae of Aswan granodiorite in the corners and 4 large panels of verde antico along the sides. In the center are 7 rotae of MP imperial porphyry, 4 rotae of MP greenish black porphyry, 4 rotae of fossiliferous red limestone, and some large panels of Proconnesian marble. The trim and geometric designs utilize "black" and "white" marbles, red limestone, orange astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and blue faience.   

 

            MIHRAB

 

            The only decorative stones are the 2 flanking columns: the one on the right is verde antico, and the one on the left is cipollino rosso brecciato. Both columns are octagonal and have Islamic capitals of light gray marble.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97 & '99; MB in '99.

 

            References: S-WS88, 320; W02, 100.

 

#192    Zawiya of Fayruz (1427 AD) F-5/G-5

 

            Completely rebuilt inside with no decorative stone now present.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

            References: S-WS88, 280-281.

 

#134    Mosque/Madrasa/Mausoleum of Gawhar al-Lala (1430 AD) G-8

 

            Restoration: in 1896 by the Comité.

 

This small building is rich with decorative stones, most of which appear to be original. The replaced stone is all a mottled light and medium gray marble.

 

Panels along the lower parts of the walls (including window niches): bigio lumachellato (with white veins), MP imperial porphyry, WUS diorite, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). The trim is of light and dark gray marbles and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) plus some cipollino rosso brecciato in the west liwan and WH graywacke in the east/qibli liwan.

 

Mihrab in the qibli liwan: consists mostly of new stone. The single, lower tier of panels has (l. to r.): black limestone/marble, cipollino rosso brecciato (or rosso di Francia?), verde alpi, MP imperial porphyry (center), verde alpi, cipollino rosso brecciato?, black limestone/marble. Perhaps only the MP imperial porphyry is original as may also be the cipollino rosso brecciato if present. The trim is of "white" and "black" marbles with black paste. The multicolored geometric pattern in the upper part of the mihrab is just painted pieces of light gray marble. The two modern (?) columns flanking the mihrab are square in their lower half and hexagonal above, and are a yellow and red conglomerate (U9).

 

Central sunken area under the dome: the pavement has in the center a circle of 8 rotae (4 each of MP imperial and greenish black porphyry) with a larger rota in the center of MP greenish black porphyry. The rest of the pavement consists of Proconnesian marble slabs with a trim of light and dark gray marbles, and small pieces of red limestone. The two liwans have no decorative pavements.

 

Mausoleum: there is little decorative stone, just small pieces of astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) and dark gray marble on the wall below the window niche, and light gray marble in the window niche, cenotaph and partial pavement.

 

Visited by: JAH in '98 & '99; MB in '99.

 

References: S-WS88, 326; W02, 67.

 

#121    Madrasa/Khanqah/Mausoleum of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay (1432 AD) L-4

 

            NORTHWEST ENTRANCE

 

            There's a sill of uninscribed of Aswan granodiorite.

 

            MOSQUE

 

            The mosque interior is undecorated except for 4 columns (2 round and 2 octagonal) of Proconnesian marble with a variety of Corinthian capitals. Two have Corinthian capitals for bases. There are also 2 smaller octagonal Islamic columns in light gray marble flanking the bare mihrab. According to Ministry of Waqfs (1992:83) the walls were originally covered with a "dado of coloured marble, inlaid with mother of pearl, in beautiful geometrical designs, of great delicacy and precision". No trace of this now remains, but was probably similar to the decoration in the mausoleum.

 

            Pavement: is apparently the original. It consists of geometric patterns using a variety of "black" and "white" marbles, and red and orange limestone plus blue faience and mother-of-pearl. There are 3 small panels of red-and-white breccia (possibly broccatelli d'Egitto) on the vertical edge of the sunken central area.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            Short passageway from mosque: wall and floor panels of MC gneiss (4), MP imperial porphyry, and Aswan granodiorite.

 

            Wall panels: astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) and cipollino rosso brecciato (on all four walls); MP imperial porphyry, and bianco e nero antico (only on north wall); and panels of WH graywacke and WH conglomerate, and, above and flanking the mihrab, 2 rotae of MP greenish black porphyry (on east wall). Trim and geometrical patterns are formed from strips of "black" and "white" marbles, and red limestone plus some WH graywacke, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) and cipollino rosso brecciato. In places mosaics with these stones include mother-of-pearl.

 

            Mihrab: panels of MP imperial porphyry, bianco e nero antico, cipollino rosso brecciato, verde antico, and bigio antico. The panels are made mostly from small scrape pieces. There are also geometric patterns made from strips of "white" marble, and red and green limestones.

                       

            Cenotaph: light gray marble, but around the base there are panels of MP imperial porphyry, WH graywacke, and verde antico plus some "black" and "white" marbles, and red limestone.

 

            Pavement: geometric patterns made with a variety of "black" and "white" marbles, and red and orange limestones plus rare blue faience.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96, '97 & '99; MB in '99.

 

            References: B-A89, 140-142; S-WS88, 294; MW92, 83; W02, 215-217.

 

SAB    Mosque of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay (1437 AD) 22 km north of Old Cairo in El Khanqa [this monument has no antiquities number]

 

            Restoration: in the early 1900's? by the Comité.

 

ENTRANCE

 

   Doorway

 

Above, on the outside wall, is a joggled pattern with "white" and "black" marbles, and red limestone. The sill is of limestone.

 

   Foyer

 

There is a pavement of new "white" and "black" marbles. Above and around the mastaba facing the entrance, are panels of MP greenish black porphyry, red-and-white breccia, broccato di Verona, red limestone, "white" and "black" marbles. These panels are trimmed with "white" and "black" marbles.

 

MOSQUE INTERIOR

 

   Qibli Liwan

 

Only the qibli liwan has wall paneling and this covers the lower 1.3 m of the three walls. All the liwan pavements are undecorated, and consist only of concrete and local limestone. There is no west liwan.

 

North wall panels: MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, bianco e nero antico, bigio antico?, and WUS diorite; plus verde alpi, white fossiliferous (clams) crystalline limestone, and broccato di Verona. "Black" and "white" marbles are used for trim.

 

South wall panels: MP imperial porphyry, verde antico, MC gneiss (1 panel), and bigio antico?; plus new verde alpi, broccato di Verona, and fossiliferous red limestone. Trim is the same as for the north wall.

 

East wall panels (excluding the mihrab): MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, MC gneiss (2 panels, one large and the other very small), Aswan granodiorite, verde antico, and bigio antico; plus new verde alpi, broccato di Verona, white fossiliferous (clams) crystalline limestone, and fossiliferous red limestone. Trim is the same as for the north wall.

 

Mihrab: there is one tier of panels along the lower part with (from l. to r.) – verde alpi, "white marble", verde alpi, cipollino rosso venato?, MC gneiss (center), with the same sequence , in reverse, continuing on the right side. Trim is "white" marble with inlaid black paste. The middle and upper parts are covered with geometric patterns using "white" marble, black and red limestones, and blue faience. Outside and flanking the mihrab are two octagonal columns of "white" marble with Islamic capitals and bases. Also on both sides, above the basal wall paneling are panels and rotae of MP imperial porphyry plus an elaborate joggled design with "white" marble and black and red limestones.

 

Columns: 1 column at the north end, where the qibli and north liwans meet, is of MC gneiss (2.9 m high with a 1.3 circumference at its base). All the other columns are of "white" marble: some octagonal but most round, and some with Islamic capitals but most with Corinthian capitals.

 

Dikka: "white" marble and wood.

 

    North Liwan

 

The only decorative stones are columns: 2 of Aswan granite and the rest "white" marble. All have Corinthian capitals.

 

   South Liwan

 

The only decorative stones are columns: 3 of Aswan granite and the rest "white" marble. All have Corinthian capitals.

 

   Central Courtyard

 

All new paving stones: "white" and "black" marbles except in the center where there is broccato di Verona.

 

   West Passageway and Entrance (from toilets)

 

All new paving stones: "white" and "black" marbles and 1 large panel of pavonazzeto. The door sill is uninscribed Aswan granite.

 

   North Passageway to Main Entrance

 

All new paving stones: "white" and "black" marbles.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 680; MW92, 84.

 

#209    Mosque/Madrasa of Taghri Bardi (1440 AD) F-8

 

            There is no decorative stone inside except for the 2 octagonal columns of light gray marble with Islamic capitals flanking the bare mihrab.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 358; MW92, 85; W02, 53-54.

 

#182    Mosque of al-Qadi [Zayn al-Din] Yahya (1444 AD) F-4

 

            Restoration: in 1884-1897 by the Comité.

 

            There is no decorative stone inside, except for 2 octagonal columns of light gray marble flanking the bare mihrab and, on the sides of the sunken floor under the central dome, small panels of "black" and "white" marbles, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). The same three stones are also used for the pavement in the entrance foyer. The entrance sill is uninscribed Aswan granodiorite.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 282; MW92, 86; W02, 129-130.

 

#344    Mosque of al-Qadi [Zayn al-Din] Yaha (1448-9 AD) B-1

 

Restoration: in the early 1900's by the Comité, and again in 1983 by the forerunner of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

 

The only decorative stone inside are the 38 columns: 1 bigio lumachellato, and 37 Proconnesian marble with a variety of Corinthian capitals. The colonnaded liwans surround an open central courtyard. At the west entrance is a sill of Aswan granodiorite. Plate 186 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) shows the columns with the rest of the mosque in ruins.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 405; W02, 229.

 

#217    Mosque of Ladjin al-Sayfi [Gaqmaq] (1450 AD) E-8

 

            The only decorative stones inside are 14 columns: 3 are Aswan granite (2 with Corinthian capitals), and 11 are light gray marble (mostly Proconnesian) with a variety of capitals (Corinthian and Islamic).

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 348.

 

#180    Mosque/Sabil of Muhammad Said Gaqmaq (1451 AD) G-4

 

            Completely rebuilt inside with no decorative stone now present.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

            References: S-WS88, 282.

 

#158    Mosque/Mausoleum of Sultan al-Malik al-Ashraf Inal (1451-6 AD) L-3

 

            Restoration: in the late 1800's by the Comité.

 

No decorative stone remains in this complex. It is now largely a ruined shell. In the mosque one can see on the walls the mortar and slab impressions where there were once decorative stone panels. According to the Ministry of Waqfs (1992: 89), in 1949 the mosque (the courtyard and four liwans) and mausoleum had pavements of "coloured marble" and that the walls of the mausoleum had a "dado of coloured marble". None of this now remains.

 

Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

References: S-WS88, 289; MW92, 88-89; W02, 208-209.

 

#204    Mosque/Ribat of al-Qadi Yahya (1452 AD) F-6

 

The only decorative stone inside are the 20 columns. Of these, 12 are around the open courtyard: 4 of Aswan granite, 1 of Aswan granodiorite, 1 of MC gneiss (2.25 m high and 0.93 m in circumference at the base), 1 of bigio antico, and 5 of Proconnesian marble. Lying on the courtyard pavement are 2 columns of Aswan granite. In the qibli liwan there are 2 columns of Aswan granite and 2 of Proconnesian marble. Flanking the bare mihrab are 2 round columns of Proconnesian marble with Islamic capitals. The other columns have a variety of Corinthian and Islamic capitals.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 330; W02, 133.

 

#25      Mosque of Bardbak [Umm al-Ghulam or Inal] (1460 AD) H-4

 

The only decorative stone inside are the 18 columns. Of these, 12 are of Proconnesian marble: 8 around the open courtyard and 4 in the qibli liwan. The rest are of light gray marble, including 2 octagonal columns with Islamic capitals flanking the bare mihrab and 4 round columns supporting the wooden dikka. All the other columns have a variety of red-painted but presumably marble Corinthian capitals. Corinthian capitals are also used for the column bases.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 219.

 

#207    Mosque of Mogholbat (a.k.a. Amir Mughalbay) Taz (1466 AD) F-8

 

            Completely rebuilt inside with no decorative stone now present.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

            References: none.

 

#105    Mosque/Mausoleum of Sultan al-Qasrawi (1468 AD) H-5

 

            Completely rebuilt inside with no decorative stone now present.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

            References: S-WS88, 269.

 

#195    Mosque of al-Mara [Fatima Shaqra] (1468-69 AD) F-5

 

There is no decorative stone inside except for the 2 octagonal light gray marble columns flanking the bare mihrab.

 

Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

References: S-WS88, 276; W02, 141.

 

#215    Mosque of Timraz al-Ahmadi (1472 AD) E-8

 

The threshold of the door opening directly into the mosque is uninscribed Aswan granite. The only decorative stones inside are a column of Aswan granodiorite with a Corinthian capital (about 3 m high), 2 octagonal columns of Proconnesian marble flanking the bare mihrab, and the pavement under the central dome. The pavement appears to be new and consists of a geometric design with a variety of "white" and "black" marbles, fossiliferous red limestone, and orange astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). The cenotaph is of light gray marble.

 

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

 

References: W02, 136.

 

#99      Mosque/Mausoleum of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaytbay (1472-4 AD) K-5

 

            Restoration: in the late 1890's by the Comité.

 

            ENTRANCE FOYER

 

            Wall panels in and below mastaba: MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite (2 small panels of an atypical variety), verde antico, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). Trim and pavement are in black and white marbles, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). The same stones are used in the pavement for the passageway to mosque.

 

            MOSQUE

 

            Pavement in central sunken area: 4 rotae of MP imperial porphyry, 1 rota of MP greenish black porphyry, and rotae and panels of astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) plus a variety of trim and geometric patterns with light and dark gray marbles, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). In the two liwans the pavements are of "white" and "black" marbles only. 

 

            There is no other decorative stone except, perhaps, the two ornately carved and painted octagonal Islamic columns flanking the mihrab.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            Wall panels: MP imperial porphyry, MP black and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, verde antico, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), bigio lumachellato and bigio antico are the original slabs. There are also many new panels of light and dark gray marbles, black marble with white veins, Aswan granite, and an imported serpentinite (similar to verde alpi). The trim is mostly new light and dark gray marbles, black marble, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). 

 

            Mihrab: inside panels — MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, and WUS diorite. There are two flanking octagonal Islamic columns of light gray marble, and between these but outside and flanking the mihrab are large panels of MP imperial porphyry and small rotae of bianco e nero antico.

 

            Pavement: geometric patterns using light and dark gray marbles, black marble and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?).

 

            Cenotaphs: light gray marble.

 

            Enshrined "relics" of Prophet Mohammad: two blocks of basalt supposedly from Mecca, one with his bare footprint and the other with his shoe print.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96 & '99; MB in '99.

 

            References: S-WS88, 297; B-A89, 144-147; W02, 217-219.

 

#223    Madrassa of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaytbay (1475 AD) E-8

 

The only decorative stones inside are the two hexagonal columns of light gray marble flanking the bare mihrab, and the pavement in the central sunken area under the dome. The pavement may be original. It has a geometric pattern made from light and dark gray marbles.

 

Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

References: S-WS88, 348; W02, 45-46.

 

#324    Sabil/Kuttab of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaytbay (1479 AD) F-8/G-8

 

This building was closed and undergoing renovation in Summer 1999. Looking through a window it appears to have no decorative stone inside. However, Behrens-Abouseif (1989: 147) says it is "richly decorated with polychrome marble".

 

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

 

References: B-A89, 147; W02, 57-58.

 

#129    Mosque/Mausoleum of Ganim al-Bahlawan (1478-1510 AD) G-7

 

            Restoration: in 1901-1905 by the Comité.

 

            The only decorative stones, apart from a pavement, are an eclectic mix of 8 light gray (mostly Proconnesian) marble columns of various sizes and styles in the mosque. All have a variety of Corinthian capitals. There are also 2 smaller columns (octagonal with Islamic capitals) of the same stone flanking the prayer niche.

 

            A pavement with geometric designs using "black" and "white" marbles exists in the central part of the mosque, the mausoleum, and in the passageway leading to the street entrance.

 

            At the entrance there is a sill of uninscribed Aswan granite.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97.

 

            References: S-WS88, 320; W02, 100-101.

 

#49      Mosque of Abu Bakr Muzhir (1479-80 AD) H-3

 

            Restoration: in the late 1800's by the Comité.

 

            Wall panels: mostly MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, original "black" and "white" marbles, and, on the west wall, WUS diorite (2 huge panels) and, on the north wall, breccia di Settebassi (1). There's been lots of renovation and large portions of the walls have new light gray, black and polychrome marbles. The panels occur only on the lower 2 m's of the four walls.

 

            Mihrab: 2 octagonal flanking columns of astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) have Islamic capitals. The panels are all MP imperial and greenish black porphyries. The outside edge has a new ? trim of what looks like breccia di Settebassi.

 

            Columns under the dome: 4 columns of Proconnesian marble. They are octagonal with classical capitals (two appear to be recent replacements).

 

            Pavement: this is covered with rugs but where it could be seen it consisted of large rotae and panels of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and nero antico? Plate 128 of Ministry of Waqfs (1992) shows at least rotae in front of the mihrab in the qibli liwan, and about 50 more in the central sunken area under the dome.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96.

 

            References: S-WS88, 234; B-A89, 148-149; MW92, 90-91; W02, 181-182.

 

#114    Mosque/Mausoleum of Qijmas al-Ishaqi (1480-1 AD) G-6

 

Restoration: in 1894 by the Comité, and in 1982 apparently by the Egyptian Antiquities Organization.

 

            MOSQUE

 

            Has only two (qibli and west) liwans.

 

            Pavement: new light gray marble in the west liwan, Mokattam limestone between the liwans, and "black" and "white" marbles plus astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) in the qibli liwan (and also in the entrance foyer and passageway).

 

            Wall panels: common MP greenish black porphyry, nero antico? and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?); rare bigio lumachellato; and scarce MP imperial porphyry.

 

            Mihrab: panels — MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, and one (new ?) "black" marble. There are no columns.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            There is a pavement of "black" and "white" marbles with some astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). Two light gray marble octagonal columns (with Islamic capitals) flank the bare prayer niche.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '96.

 

            References: S-WS88, 305; B-A89, 151-153; MW92, 94-97; W02, 91-93.

 

#519    Mosque of Sultan Qaytbay (1481-90 AD) A-10

 

            There is no decorative stone inside.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: W02, 34.

 

#340    Mosque of Abu Illa (1485 AD) B-2

 

The interior is richly adorned with decorative stone, but it is all very new. Only the qibli liwan has wall paneling and this follows the Mamluk style. There are 23 columns of light gray marble with modern Islamic capitals and bases.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 405; W02, 230.

 

#211    Mosque of Azbak al-Yusufi (1494-5 AD) E-8

 

            The only decorative stone inside includes: (1) 2 octagonal columns of light gray marble with Islamic capitals flanking the mihrab; (2) pavement under the central dome with a geometric design using "black" and "white" marbles (only a portion of the pavement was seen and so there may be more; plate 205 of Hautecoeur and Wiet [1932, vol. 2] and plates 140 & 240 of Ministry of Waqfs [1992] show a circle 10 large rotae in the center); (3) pavement of "black" and "white" marbles, and red limestone in the entrance foyer; and (4) some light gray marble slabs in the floor of the window niches on the east wall (appears to be new). At the entrance the lintel and threshold are of uninscribed Aswan granodiorite. According to Ministry of Waqfs (1992: 98), as of 1949 the walls of the qibli liwan and mihrab had a "dado of coloured marble". No trace of this now remains.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '97 & '99; MB in '99.

 

            Other references: S-WS88, 358; B-A89, 150; W02, 51-52.

 

#51      Maq'ad of Mamay al-Sayfi (1496 AD) H-4

 

There is no decorative stone except for 4 large columns of Proconnesian marble along the front. These have lotus capitals in imitation of the ancient Egyptian style.

 

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

 

References: S-WS88, 248; W02, 192-193.

 

#239    Mosque of Sultan Shah (1496 AD) F-5

 

            All that is left of this building is an open, ruined shell with no decorative stones to be seen.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 342.

 

#248    Mosque/Mausoleum of Amir Khayrbak (1502-20 AD) H-7

 

            ENTRANCE TO COMPLEX (at its northwest corner)

 

The door sill at the entrance is of uninscribed Aswan granite. Outside and above the doorway the Mokattam limestone has an inlay of "white" marble, black limestone, and a couple of pieces of astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). The foyer and passageway to the mosque are undecorated.

 

            MOSQUE

 

               Entrance

 

At the top of a flight of limestone stairs is a door sill of white siliceous sandstone with a hieroglyphic inscription (cartouche of Nectenabo I). The foyer has a new pavement of "white" marble and yellow limestone. The passageway from the foyer to the mosque is bare.

 

               Mosque Interior

 

This small, single-room building is richly decorated with stone panels both on the walls (to a height of 1.65 m) and inside the window niches. There are no columns (apart from those flanking the mihrab) or decorative stone pavement. Most of the stone work appears to be relatively recent (early Comité ?).

 

North wall panels: large slabs of bigio antico, bigio lumachellato, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and WH greywacke plus a small piece of greco scritto.

 

West wall/window panels: large slabs of MP imperial porphyry, bigio antico, bigio lumachellato, and "white" marble plus a small piece of greco scritto.

 

            South wall panel: one one large slab of greco scritto.

 

East wall panels: large slabs of MP imperial porphyry, bigio lumachellato, greco scritto, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), "white" marble, and white-veined red and green serpentinite (perhaps a variety of verde alpi?).

 

Mihrab: there is one tier in the lower part consisting of tall, narrow panels of bigio lumachellato. The upper part of the mihrab is bare. Flanking it are two octagonal light gray marble columns with Islamic capitals and bases.          

 

Throughout the room the panels are trimmed with "white" marble, black limestone, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?).

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

            The decorative scheme is the same as in the mosque with the lower 1.65 m of the walls and window niches covered with stone panels. Apart from those flanking the mihrab, there are no stone columns and no decorative stone pavement except in the window niches and the doorway connecting the mosque and mausoleum.

 

            North wall panels: large slabs of bigio lumachellato, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), and "white" marble.

 

            West wall/window panels: large slabs of MP imperial porphyry (2), WH greywacke (2 in window), bigio lumachellato, astracane dorato (d'Egitto), and "white" marble.

 

            South wall/window panels: large slabs of bigio lumachellato, astracane dorato (d'Egitto), and "white" marble.

 

            East wall panels: large slabs of MP imperial porphyry, bigio lumachellato, and "white" marble.

 

            Mihrab: identical in all respects to the mihrab in the mosque.

 

            The wall and mihrab panels are trimmed with "white" marble and black limestone, and in a west-side window niche there is some WH greywacke and red limestone used for trim. High up on the mausoleum walls are 12 black rotae, apparently of black limestone.

 

            Pavements: "white" marble and black limestone in the doorway and window niches.

 

            Cenotaph: light gray marble with some black limestone trim.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 312; B-A89, 155-157; MW92, 99; W02, 77-78.

 

#136    Mosque/Mausoleum of Amir Akhur [a.k.a. Qanibay al-Sayfi] (1503-4 AD) G-8

 

This building has been kept closed and locked during 1996-99, and so has been inaccessible. According to Seton-Williams and Stocks (1988: 326) some of the original marble paneling remains on the walls, but this is only in the mausoleum according to Ministry of Waqfs (1992: 100). Plate 218 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) and plate 144 of Ministry of Waqfs (1992) show a qibli liwan with no paneling but 2 marble columns flanking a bare mihrab.

 

            Not visited.

 

            Other references: S-WS88, 326; MW92, 100-101; W02, 67-68.       

 

#255    Mausoleum/Sabil/Kuttab of Tarabay al-Sharifi (1503-4 AD) H-7

 

Restoration: in 1905 by the Comité.

 

Only the mausoleum now has decorative stones.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

Panels along the lower parts of the walls (including the window niches): Aswan granodiorite (the most abundant stone), MP imperial porphyry, verde antico, WUS diorite and cipollino rosso brecciato plus light and dark gray marbles, the latter two also constituting the trim. There are also panels with small pieces of stone in geometric designs: light and dark gray marbles, fossiliferous red limestone and red terracotta. The dark gray limestone/marble did not effervesce in acid and so may either be dolomitic or covered with a thick coat of varnish.

 

Mihrab: there is only one, lower tier of panels (l. to r.): Aswan granodiorite; pieces of cipollino rosso brecciato; verde antico; MP imperial porphyry (upper part of panel only; the rest is filled by a dark gray marble); MP greenish black porphyry (center); pieces of light and dark gray marble; verde antico; cipollino rosso brecciato; Aswan granodiorite. Trim consists of light and dark gray marbles, and very minor red limestone or terracotta.

 

            Cenotaph and pavement: all light gray marble.

 

            Entrance: the door threshold and lintel are of Aswan granodiorite and Aswan granite, respectively.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98 & '99; MB in '99.

 

            References: S-WS88, 314; W02, 76.

 

#148    Mosque of Sultan Qansah al-Ghuri (c. 1504 AD) G-8

 

The roof has collapsed and the building is now abandoned. Looking through a slit in the locked door it is evident that there is no decorative stone inside.

 

Visited by: JAH & MB in '99.

 

References: S-WS88, 361.

 

#67      Sabil/Kuttab/Mausoleum of Sultan Qansah al-Ghuri (part of "The Ghuriya", 1503-5 AD) G-5

 

            SABIL

 

The only decorative stone is in the pavement, which consists of a geometric pattern with light and dark gray marbles, fossiliferous red limestone, and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?). This is possibly an early 1900's restoration by the Comité.

 

The only possibly original stone is on the floor of a fountain in a sunken area in front of the bare mihrab. The geometric design contains the same stones as above plus blue faience, and a ring of stones that includes: MP imperial porphyry, bianco e nero antico, verde antico, cipollino rosso venato, and light and dark gray marbles. The mihrab is flanked by two hexagonal columns of light gray marble. There is no decorative stone in the kuttab above the sabil.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

Panels along the bases of the walls (some of these are new): light gray marbles (all marmo bianco di Carrara?), and dark gray marbles (bigio antico and bardiglio di Carrara); bianco e nero antico; MP imperial, black, and greenish black porphyries; WUS diorite; pavonazetto; breccia rossa Appenninica; broccatello and broccato di Verona, portoro, cipollino rosso brecciato, breccia Medicea, and nero antico? High up on the walls are 2 large panels of MP imperial porphyry and others of light and dark gray marbles. The trim consists of light and dark gray marbles.

 

Mihrab: single, lower tier of panels — MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, bigio antico and nero assoluto with light and dark gray marble trim. Upper part — geometric pattern of light and dark gray marbles, astracane dorato (d'Egitto?), fossiliferous red limestone, and blue faience. The mihrab is flanked by two hexagonal columns of Proconnesian marble.

 

Floor pavement: rectangular, circular and hexagonal panels of mostly light gray and dark gray marbles (Proconnesian, marmo bianco di Carrara and bardiglio di Carrara) with occasional rectangular panels of bigio antico, breccia rossa Appenninica, rosso di Francia, Aswan granodiorite (8 large panels), broccatelli d'Egitto, and pink limestone conglomerate. In the window niche opposite the mihrab there are small pieces of verde antico and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) in the pavement. The trim and geometric patterns consist of light and dark gray marbles, red and orange limestones, and rare rosso di Francia. Both the pavement and walls are decorated with mostly new stone.

 

Foyer (at entrance): pavement has rotae of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, verde antico and bardiglio di Carrara with light and dark gray marble trim. There are also some small panels of MP imperial porphyry and verde antico. In the wall opposite the entrance, there are panels of MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, WB quartz diorite, and light gray marble with light and dark gray marble trim.

 

Entrance and outside porch: the lintel and threshold are uninscribed Aswan granodiorite. The pavement and wall ablaq are light and dark gray marbles.

 

            HALL (on the north side of the mausoleum)

 

There are no decorative stones inside except around the mihrab where there is a geometric pattern of light and dark gray marbles, red limestone and astracane dorato (d'Egitto?) plus some "mottled pink limestone/marble". The two hexagonal columns flanking the mihrab are light gray marble.

 

            Visted by: JAH in '98 & '99; MB & LL in '99.

 

            References: S-WS88, 265; B-A89, 154; MW92, 102-104; W02, 147-150.

 

#189    Mosque/Madrassa of Sultan Qansah al-Ghuri (part of "The Ghuriya", 1503-5 AD) G-5

 

This building was undergoing extensive renovation in summers 1998 and 1999. Much of the decorative stone on the walls and pavement have been removed, but most of the decorative stones in the qibli liwan were still in place. Plates 208 & 210 of Hautecoeur and Wiet (1932; vol. 2) and plates 146-149 of Ministry of Waqfs (1992) show stone paneling on the lower portions of all the walls, and not just those of the qibli liwan, and also a richly decorated pavement with 27 rotae in the central sunken area under the dome.

 

            QIBLI LIWAN

 

Wall panels (present only on the east wall): MP imperial and greenish black porphyries (both panels and rotae), WUS diorite and rare verde antico plus, directly above the mihrab, one rota of porfido serpentino verde. The trim consists of light and dark gray marbles.

 

Mihrab: Panels in the single, lower tier — MP imperial and greenish black porphyries, WUS diorite, bianco e nero antico with light and dark gray marble trim. Upper part of mihrab — geometric design consisting of light and dark gray marbles, red limestone and blue faience.

 

Pavement: largely obscured by dirt but appears to be mosly light and dark gray marbles with some red limestone and possibly other stones, including the swirled pink/yellow limestone.

 

            Entrance and Outside Porch

 

The lintel and threshold are of uninscribed Aswan granodiorite. The wall ablaq and pavement are light and dark gray marbles.

 

Visited by: JAH in '98 & '99; MB in '99.

 

References: S-WS88, 265; B-A89, 153-154; MW92, 102-104; W02, 147-150.

 

#254    Mosque of Qani Bey al-Rammah (1506 AD) D-7

 

This building has been completely removed and in its place a new mosque is being built. An engineer on the project said the original mosque had no decorative stone inside.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '00.

 

            References: S-WS88, 344.

 

#162    Mosque/Mausoleum/Khanqah of Amir Qurqumas (1506-7 AD) L-3/L-4

 

Restoration: in the 1880's by the Comité, and again in 1988 by the Polish-Egyptian Group for the Restoration of Islamic Monuments.

 

            MAUSOLEUM

 

There's no decorative stone except for the two hexagonal gray marble columns flanking the mihrab.

 

            MOSQUE/KHANQAH

 

Nearly all the decorative stone is on the lower parts of the walls of the qibli liwan (none in the mihrab or pavement). Rectangular panels of WUE serpentinite? and broccatelli d'Egitto trimmed with light gray and black marble, and occasional small pieces of fossiliferous red limestone.

 

In the sunken central area of the small courtyard, on the sides of the steps from the two liwans are panels of broccatelli d'Egitto with light gray and black marble trim.

 

This is apparently all new material and seems very different from what would have been used originally. One of the restoration architects was present and said the only original stones remaining in the complex are fragments of light and dark gray marble pavements in one of the side rooms (north side of the mosque/khanqah).

 

Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

References: S-WS88, 290; W02, 209-211.

 

#191    Mosque of Baybars al-Khayyat (1515 AD) G-5

 

            There is no original decorative stone inside except perhaps for the top of the mihrab (light and dark gray marbles, and red limestone) and the two flanking hexagonal columns of light gray marble.

 

            Visited by: JAH in '98.

 

            References: S-WS88, 268.