mashrabiyya, window screen, fönsterskärm

A wooden panel consisting of a framed latticework is called a mashrabiyya. The area of this mashrabiyya is structured in three zones formed by carved frames of different sizes. Each zone is filled with a geometric design of woodwork. The vertical and horizontal bars of the outer area are combined with diagonals arranged in the same direction in each row giving the impression of a stem and leaf pattern. In contrast, the diagonal bars of the second zone lead away radially from an oval centre forming a pattern of abstract flowers. The hinged aperture situated in the upper part of the second zone is filled with a latticework consisting of round junctions, each with four diagonal bars leading away radially.
The outer frame of the panel, assembled in a different way from the frame of the aperture, might be not original. The ledges are of various widths and are not carved like the two inner ones.
Wooden latticework panels are intended to serve as windows onto the inner courtyard of a house or onto the street.

Source: [https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;se;Mus01;26;en&cp]

How date and origin were established:
The dating of this object is difficult. The latticework shows no specific features. Since the acquisition is also unknown, there is no terminus ante quem. Furthermore, it lacks a comparative study of the decorative patterns to establish a certain dating. To date, the only feature is the rough surface that could be evidence of a dating earlier than the 13th / 19th century.

How Object was obtained:
Gift to the National Museum of Fine Arts from the estate of Björkman, Paris.

How provenance was established:
Window screens housed in the Louvre Museum, Paris, for which an Egyptian provenance seems to be proved, show a similar structure and design to this screen.

Source: [https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;se;Mus01;26;en&cp]