Close-up of some details of the minber (pulpit) inside the Allaeddin mosque. Dated 1178, and made from carved hardwood (walnut).

The technique that was used is called ‘kündekari’: pieces of different sizes are worked separately, and then assembled (like a big jigsaw puzzle), without using any glue, split pin or nail. This technique is extremely difficult.

The nails seen on the picture are not original; they are the result of a restoration that aimed at renewed stability of the antique pulpit.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Türkye Tarihi Yerler Kılavuzu’ – M.Orhan Bayrak, Inkılâp Kitabevi, Istanbul, 1994.
& Website of hacitekin.8m.com (ağaçoymacılığı).