File:Architecture, classic and early Christian (1888) (14772925865).jpg

Identifier: architectureclas00smituoft (find matches)
Title: Architecture, classic and early Christian
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Smith, Thomas Roger, d 1903 Slater, John
Subjects:
Publisher: London : Sampson Low
Contributing Library: Kelly - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
From the ninth century then, the pointed arch was
in constant use. It prevailed in Palestine as well as in
the adjacent countries for two centuries before it reached
the West, and there can be no doubt that it was theres
een by the Western Crusaders, and a knowledge of its
suse and an appreciation of its beauty and convenience
were brought back to Western Europe by the returning
ecclesiastics and others at the end of the First Crusade.*
In the eleventh century the splendid Tombs of the
Caliphs at Cairo Avere were erected,—buildings crowned with
domes of a graceful pointed form, and remarkable for the
external decoration which usually covers the whole sur-
face of those domes. By this time also, if not earlier, them
inaret had become universal. This is a lofty tower
of slender proportions, passing from a square base below
to a circular form above (Fig. 187). A minaret is
often divided into several stages. Each stage is then
marked by a balcony, and is, generally speaking, a
* The First Crusade lasted from a.d. 1095 to a.d. 1099.
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 183—ALHAMBRA. HALL OF THE ABENCERRAGES.
258 MOHAMMEDAN ARCHITECTURE.
polygon of a greater number of sides than the stage
below it.
In the interiors of Saracenic buildings what is generally
known as honeycomb corbelling is constantly employed
to fill up corners and effect a change of plan from a square
below to a circle or octagon above. This ornament is
formed by the use of a series of small brackets, each
course of them overhanging those below, and produces
an effect some idea of which may be gathered from our
illustration (Fig. 188) of the Hall of the Abencerrages in
the Alhambra. The interiors when not domed are often
covered by wooden or plaster ceilings, more or less richly
decorated, such as are shown in the view of one of the
arcades of the Mosque El Moyed, Cairo (Fig. 189),
where the horse-shoe and pointed arches can both be seen.
This illustration also shows timber ties, at the feet of
the arches, such as were commonly used by the earlier
Saracenic builders.
The surfaces of the interiors of most Mohammedan
buildings in all countries are covered with the most
exquisite decorations in colour.

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