Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Raja Muda · 28th February 2005, 11:42 AM

I guess I'd let the others contribute their knowledge on the weapons. I'd just like to put in my two cents worth on the tray. It seems what you have here is a piece of marquetry work probably done in Spain in what I would call the Alhambra style. Sometime in recent Spanish history, there was a surge of interest in the Arab-Islamic heritage of Iberia and many craftsmen started producing handicrafts inspired by the Mezquita, the Alhambra, Moorish tiles, arabesque and the like.
The cartouche on the tray carries the motto of the Nasrid kings, 'wa la ghalib illallah' which means There is no Victor but God, though I guess the letters have been distorted somewhat. The same motto appears all over the Alhambra complex. Interesting how it got to where you found it.

28th February 2005, 11:42 AM	#8
Raja Muda Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 100	Tray I guess I'd let the others contribute their knowledge on the weapons. I'd just like to put in my two cents worth on the tray. It seems what you have here is a piece of marquetry work probably done in Spain in what I would call the Alhambra style. Sometime in recent Spanish history, there was a surge of interest in the Arab-Islamic heritage of Iberia and many craftsmen started producing handicrafts inspired by the Mezquita, the Alhambra, Moorish tiles, arabesque and the like. The cartouche on the tray carries the motto of the Nasrid kings, 'wa la ghalib illallah' which means There is no Victor but God, though I guess the letters have been distorted somewhat. The same motto appears all over the Alhambra complex. Interesting how it got to where you found it.