Mashrabiyya Screen

Unknown

15th–16th century · Wood; turned · Islamic Art

This big flat screen is made of large and small panels of turned lattice-work in various designs called mashrabiyya. A mashrabiyya is simply a window screen from which the observer can see the outside world without being seen. Yet mashrabiyyas were also installed inside the house for the onlooker to be able to observe the courtyard with privacy.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th–16th century

Medium

Wood; turned

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of S.S. Howland, 1910