Mamluk Art Objects in Their Architectural Context

Abstract

The field of Mamluk art and architectural history is well developed but there has been a tendency to discuss objects apart from their architectural contexts. My research seeks to explore the relationship between Mamluk objects, furnishings, and fittings attached to particular foundations in Cairo, The aim of this study is to examine the dialogue between design elements in different media and explore their aesthetic and functional relationship to their surroundings. This will give insight into how designs are transferred across media, and how architecture acted as a meeting place for a variety of artistic disciplines. The study will also investigate the merits and limitations of such an approach, and the effects the removal of Mamluk objects from their context has on our perception of them.