Publication Date
101-105 AH/720-724 AD, or 125-126 AH/743-744 AD.
Publication Place
-
The palace complex in Qastal
Subject
mosaic.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الطول:3.30 م؛ العرض: 3.30 م
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
object;ISL;jo;Mus01_H;17;ar
Library Location
The palace complex in Qastal
Date
101-105 AH/720-724 AD, or 125-126 AH/743-744 AD.
Notes
Many palaces were built in the Syrian-Palestinian territories during the Umayyad period in the first half of the 2nd / 8th century, such as the Palace of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik in Jericho, the Western and Eastern Palaces of Al-Hayr in Syria, Qusayr Amra and the Umayyad Palace in the Amman Citadel, and Qasr Al-Hallabat, Al-Muwaqqar, and Al-Qastal in Jordan. These palaces were rich in plaster decorations, frescoes, and mosaic floors. This mosaic floor was discovered by chance in 2000 AD through some illegal excavations at the Qastal site. Fortunately, the mosaic floors in the northern rooms of the palace are well preserved. It is a good example of the excellent quality of mosaics produced in the Umayyad period in such palaces. The mosaic floor in the northern room measures 3030 x 3030 m and consists of a central nave surrounded by a frame of strands surrounded by lines transformed into the shape of the letter T in multiple colors. The center consists of two intersecting braided frames that form an octagonal frame containing in its center the main subject of the painting: a painting of a lion preying on a bull. The painting shows the lion's claws and sharp teeth piercing the bull's neck, trying to drop it to the ground. This mosaic is of high quality, especially in terms of the large variety of colors used, the size of the mosaic cubes, and the shadows, all of which were used to create a scene closer to reality. On the corners of the floor appear figures of birds and plants executed on a white background within quarter circles. The frame on the northeastern side depicts the shape of a duck with its head turned back. In the southeastern corner, a bird appears eating something from a plant. The other frames in the northern, southern, and western sides are partially preserved, and it is possible that they carried images of birds and plants. The southern room is similar to the northern room, and its mosaic floor is similar to the mosaic floor in the northern room in terms of its geometric formations and frames. However, the central scene is different, as it contains an image of a leopard preying on a gazelle. This scene also looks real and realistic, as it shows details such as sharp eyes and fangs that pierce the deer's neck and make it bleed profusely. Here one can feel the extreme violence of the leopard and the agony that the gazelle suffers. Scenes like this were related to showing strength, and they sent a warning message to the enemies of the Umayyads. Similar examples of these floors can be seen in Umayyad palaces, such as Qasr al-Hallabat in Jordan, and the reception hall of the bath complex at Khirbet al-Mafjar in Jericho.
Sample Text
Ghada Al-Yousef “Mosaic floor” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;jo;Mus01_H;17;ar
