Author
to open.
Author Original
فتح
Publication Date
Mid-10th century (300-350 / 912-961)
Publication Place
-
Museum of Islamic Art
Subject
marble.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع : 33 سم؛ قطر غطاء التاج: 31 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
I. 5053
Record ID
object;ISL;de;Mus01;15;ar
Library Location
Museum of Islamic Art
Date
Mid-10th century (300-350 / 912-961)
Notes
The decoration of this acanthus capital clearly refers to ancient capitals that served as a model for the decoration. This crown has two leaf-shaped wreaths and four spiral-shaped decorations with a diagonal path, on which the crown cover rests. The spiral motifs end in flowers with four leaves. Acanthus leaves cover the ends of the spiral decorations. The leaves end under the cover, and appear to be carrying it. Around the cover there is an inscription that talks about the artists who made the crown, those who requested it, and the owner of the building. On the lid is a symbol of construction that appears to have been made using compasses and angles. In that era, the artists and craftsmen who carried out each part of the construction were not clearly indicated. The aforementioned inscription refers to Abd al-Rahman III (300/912 - 350/961) and the text is as follows: “In the name of God, a blessing from God to the Commander of the Faithful Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad, may God prolong his life.” He wrote after that: “Among the things he ordered to be made at the hands of his servant, Shanif, was the work of opening marble.” Shenif was the general supervisor of the building, while Fath was mentioned for the first time in a writing on a building dated 318/930. Before that, he was a slave in the background court and was not Arab by birth. As the writings on the buildings show, Fatah contributed for several decades to the construction of many of the caliphs’ buildings in Andalusia. His name was also known during the expansion of the Great Mosque in Cordoba and the Palace of Medina Al-Zahra. It was not possible to confirm that this crown belongs to one of these buildings. However, it is known that the construction supervisor, Shunaif, participated in the work of the Rico Salon, the reception hall in Medina Al-Zahra (342-343 / 953-954). It is known that Abd al-Rahman declared himself caliph of the Western Islamic world in the year 317/929. Since their use by the ancient Greeks in the fifth century BC, acanthus capitals have been a symbol of wealth and immortality. Acanthus, with its strong, large, and abundant leaf edges, was sought after as an ornamental motif in Greece as well as in Spain.
Sample Text
Annette Hagedorn “Column Capital” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;de;Mus01;15;ar
