From Ibn Tulun

From Ibn Tulun

This is not an image of a painting. It follows the Islamic tradition of creating patterns, particularly on ceilings, out of raised wooden borders. This pattern was originally seen on the side of a Minbar in the mosque at Ibn Tulun, but the painted sections were derived from Plate 78 in 'Arab Art' by Prisse D'Avennes.
 
The original ceiling may have been carved from a single piece of wood but in this reproduction the raised wooden borders are created from moulding attached to a plywood ground. Using borders in this way creates its own problems. Because the borders are much wider than normal they tend to obscure some of the smaller units of the design. In the original this was compensated for by moving some of the borders such that they lay with one edge along the construction line rather than with edges equidistant from it.
 
The reproduction remains in the possession of the artist.

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