Column

Unknown

14th century · White marble · Islamic Art

One of six in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum, these columns originally belonged to the Alhambra (literally, "the red one", in reference to the color of the clay used in the construction) in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra was a royal palace-city comprised of many palaces and buildings, which were continually enlarged and embellished over the centuries. Slim columns such as these are characteristic of the Nasrid Dynasty (1232–1492) architectural style, and would have ornamented a multitude of outdoor courtyards, transitional spaces between palaces.

Artist

Unknown

Date

14th century

Medium

White marble

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of The Hearst Foundation, 1956