Cast of a Ninth-Century Wall Panel Carved in the "Beveled Style"

Unknown

20th century · Stucco; molded · Islamic Art

The original ninth-century panel was found in situ during the excavations of Samarra in 1911–13. It was probably carved rather than molded and was decorated with a delightfully complex pattern. A geometric frame composed of interlocking hourglass- and arrow-shaped forms divides the surface into fields filled with composite vegetal motifs made of trefoils and tulip-shaped buds. This style of ornament, known as the Beveled Style, continues to develop the interests in illusion and repetition that were evident in the Byzantine and Sasanian periods, when designers began to devise ways to cover large architectural surfaces with carved vegetal and geometric patterns.

Artist

Unknown

Date

20th century

Medium

Stucco; molded

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Edward C. Moore Jr. Gift, 1927