Minbar Panel

This panel represents the finest example of Mamluk woodcarving, and arguably comes from Egypt's most famous minbar (stepped pulpit). Of octagonal form, and delicately carved in high relief with arabesque interlaces and palmettes, this panel – along with others of varying shape yet similar decoration – is part of a larger composition that forms one side of this four-meter high minbar. Removed and dispersed at some point during the 13th century CE/second half of the 19th century CE, today 'Lajin panels' are scattered in museum collections worldwide, and prized not only for their beauty, but also for their famed history: this minbar was commissioned by Sultan al Mansur Husam al-Din Lajin (r. 695-698 AH/1296-1299 CE) in 695 AH/1296 CE and placed in the 3rd century AH/9th century CE mosque of Ibn Tulun, Cairo. As a Mamluk officer who attempted an unsuccessful assassination on the ruler, Lajin used the then dilapidated mosque for shelter, vowing that should he survive and rise to power, he would restore the mosque to its former glory. This minbar is an example of his vow.