On the picture: Close-up of one of the borders of the ‘mihrab’ (prayer niche, which indicates the direction of Mecca). The niche is completely executed in glazed tiles; in this border the tiles are inspired on the looks of the ‘kündekari’ woodwork technique. This is an example of the Islamic passion for relating areas and objects of disparate size and purpose through their decoration.
In the ‘kündekari’ technique pieces of wood of different sizes are worked separately, and then assembled (like a big jigsaw puzzle), without using any glue, split pin or nail. The technique was used in Egypt, Syria and Anatolia from the 11th century on, and became a major art form in Seljuk and late-Seljuk times (13th-15th century).
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Islamic Architecture: Ottoman Turkey’ (Godfrey Goodwin) – London 1977 .