A MERINID OR SAADIAN CARVED AND PAINTED HARDWOOD CEILING
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A MERINID OR SAADIAN CARVED AND PAINTED HARDWOOD CEILING

MOROCCO, 13TH-15TH CENTURY

Details
A MERINID OR SAADIAN CARVED AND PAINTED HARDWOOD CEILING
MOROCCO, 13TH-15TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form, composed of many thick planks, the face of each carved together to form a bold geometric pattern of interlaced strapwork radiating from stellar centres, a plain border around three sides, later moulded border, cut into two panels, original ceiling reduced at one end and between each large central radiating design
Overall 123 x 52¼in. (313 x 132.5cm.)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. Please note that the lots of Iranian origin are subject to U.S. trade restrictions which currently prohibit the import into the United States. Similar restrictions may apply in other countries.
Sale room notice
This dating is consistent with a carbon dating test which resulted in 95 certainty that this ceiling was produced between 1290 and 1410 AD.

Lot Essay

The ceiling is incomplete at one end. It has also had a transverse section taken out between each of the major roundels. Originally the larger roundels would have been divided by twinned half-roundels on each side. The end that is complete shows how the original layout would have worked.

There are two features that indicate that this ceiling is relatively early in date. The geometry is very strong and has more in keeping with the panels of the 14th century than the later examples which tend to be fussier in design. The other feature is that it is made of thick planks of heavy dense pine rather than the thin sheets that are used in later ceilings.

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