Page 65 - Highlights of the Collection

Mamluk carpet
with three medallions

Egypt, Cairo, late 15th century
474 × 265 cm, wool

This carpet, commonly referred to as the “three-
medallion carpet” due to its central motif, is
characteristic of the finest examples produced by the Highlights of the Collection
Mamluk court workshops in Cairo. The motifs of stars
and octagons intertwine infinitely in a shimmering
range of six colours, mixing red, sky blue, yellow,
ivory and browns. Although the origin of such
ornamentation remains uncertain despite its reference Louvre Abu Dhabi
to the projections of architectural cupolas, similar
examples appear in the illuminations of manuscripts.

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