Door Panel with 'Beveled Design'

Unknown

9th century · Wood (pine); carved · Islamic Art

The increasing mobility of artisans and objects in the ninth and tenth centuries led to the adoption of new styles and techniques across a vast geography. This Egyptian panel from a door is an example of the so-called "beveled" style, a modern term indicating a distinctively slanted relief, an absence of negative space, and repeated patterns of vegetal forms. The style is first located in ninth century Iraq, at Samarra, and soon thereafter also in Egypt, reflecting the cosmopolitanism of the culture and visual language of this time and space. This symmetrical, highly stylized design is also found on wood, stone, glass, and other media.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th century

Medium

Wood (pine); carved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, V. Everit Macy Gift, 1930