islamic art-detail of a fountain-inlaid stone-inv.n.4568-purchased Muhammad Zaki Isma'il-Ottoman 18th century-IMG_6145

the design of watersprouts in the center show floral forms derived from the tulip and it is very large and impressive in the variety of color (blue tile fragments are used liberally) and in the intricacy of the inlay.the lowest part of the basin is filled with a dazzling pattern of interlacing circles. the basin is twelve sided with a semi circular recess on each facet. the pavillion like raised platform for the jets of water carved in greenish alabaster mirrors the geometry of the lower basin wit its two tiers of twelve spouts emerging from fortress like buttresses-detail of a fountain-inlaid stone-inv.n.4568-purchased Muhammad Zaki Isma'il-Ottoman 18th century-IMG_6145