Mashrabiyya Screen
Unknown Artist
15th–16th century
Medium
Wood; turned
Dimensions
H. 81 in. (205.7 cm) W. 85 1/4 in. (216.5 cm) D. 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm)
Classification
Wood
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of S.S. Howland, 1910
Accession Number
11.86.6
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the enchanting world of Islamic architecture with this magnificent *Mashrabiyya*, crafted by an unknown artist in the th–16th century Hailing from the Islamic world—likely Egypt or the broader Mamluk region—this towering wooden screen (over 6 feet high and wide) exemplifies the ingenuity of traditional design. Mashrabiyya, meaning "drinking place" or "window screen" in Arabic, were essential features in homes and mosques, projecting outward to catch breezes while shielding interiors from harsh sunlight. Masterfully executed in turned wood—a technique using a lathe to shape slender, ...