A Late Mamluk or Ottoman Marble Mosaic Panel, Egypt, 15th-17th Century

of rectangular form, designed with interlocking polychrome marbled polygons comprising concentric star motifs, between two borders, mounted in an old wooden frame

In overall good condition, with some mother-of-pearl replacements, scratches to the surface and some surface abrasion, two raised polygones on the centre left edge, one break and associated repair on the reverse angle, not visible to front, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The fashion for decorating important public buildings with polychrome marble mosaic panels was a particular and striking feature of Mamluk architecture. The skyline of Cairo is to this day punctuated by minarets and towers of mosques, madrasas and mausolea whose interiors are adorned with richly patterned wall and floor mosaics. Private houses were no exception, and since marble and stone was so plentiful (much of it classified as spolia, recycled from demolished temples and churches) the fashion continued in practice in Egypt, even into the early Ottoman period when ceramic tilework began to be favoured elsewhere.

The dazzling array of designs and motifs manifested in these panels caught the eye of European artists and designers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many of whom exploited them in their work. Prominent amongst them was the Frenchman, Achille-Constant-Théodore-Émile Prisse d'Avennes (1807-79), whose monumental colour-plate publication, L'Art Arabe, published over a ten-year period between 1868 to 1878, did much to bring the glory of Islamic architectural ornament to a wider audience.

A series of comparable marble mosaic panels from the collection of Max Palevsky were sold at Christie's, 7 April 2011, lots 109-111.  A related wall panel and fountain were sold in these rooms, 3 May 2001, lot 97, and 29 April 1993, lot 111, respectively.