134. Kaire 1843. G.[âma] Emir Yakhour. Min.[aret]

The distinctive twin-topped minaret from the complex of Qanibay al-Sayfi, Amir Akhur Kabir, who was grand master of the Sultan's horses during the reign of Sultan al-Ghuri in the 16th century. The minaret is the oldest in this double style, with square lower and middle sections and rows of stone muqarnas, or stalactite decorations, carrying the wooden balconies. The photograph includes just enough of the façade to relate the minaret to the architecture of the complex, while adding a diagonal slice across an otherwise purely vertical composition. Even in the three minaret studies included here it is possible to see how the photographer was building a catalogue of styles for this architectural form, varying each image to suit the subject, but keeping the vertical panoramic format.

Unusually, Girault de Prangey repeated the same image almost exactly, and in the same format. Another plate exists in the archive, differing only in the angle of the light, which is more evenly spread over both sides of the tower. (See also lot 84)