For the historical data, and some of the descriptions contained in this book, I have levied tribute on a large number of authors. Don Pascual de Gayángos, the renowned translator of Al-Makkari; the Handbook and the Gatherings of Richard Ford; William Stirling-Maxwell’s Don John of Austria; The History of the Conquest of Spain, by Henry Coppeé; Washington Irving’s Conquest of Granada; Miss Charlotte Yonge’s Christians and Moors in Spain; Stanley Lane-Poole’s The Moors in Spain; the writings of Dr. R. Dozy, of Leipsic; Muhammed Hayat Khan’s Rise and Fall of the Muslim Empire in Spain; Hannah Lynch’s Toledo; Walter M. Gallichan’s Seville; The Latin-Byzantine Monuments of Cordova; Monumentos Arquitectonicos de España; Pedro de Madrazo’s Sevilla—these, and many less important writers on Spain, have been consulted.

But with this wealth of literary material to hand, I have remembered that it is my collection of illustrations, rather than on the written word, that I must depend. From the nature of Arabian art, and the characteristic minuteness of the details of which Morisco decoration is composed, lengthy descriptions of architecture, unaccompanied by illustrations, become not only tedious but positively confusing to the reader, while, on the other hand, a sufficiency of illustrations renders exhaustive descriptions superfluous. I have striven to do justice to the subject in this direction, not without hope of achieving my purpose, but with a vast consciousness of the fact that, neither by camera, nor brush, nor by the pen, can one reflect, with any fidelity, the effects obtained by the Moorish masters of the Middle Ages. In their art we find a sense of the mysterious that appeals to one like the glint of moonlight on running water; an intangible spirit of joyousness that one catches from the dancing shadows of leaves upon a sun-swept lawn; and an elusive key to its beauty, which is lost in the bewildering maze of traceries and the inextricable network of designs. The form, but not the fantasy, of these fairy-like, fascinating decorations may be reproduced, and this I have endeavoured to do.

A. F. C.

“Royston,” Hampstead, N. W.
1905.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

CORDOVA
Page
[The Mosque—Principal Nave of the Mihrab][9]
[The Mosque—Entrance to the Mihrab][10]
[Gates of Pardon][11]
[View of the City and Bridge South of the Guadalquivir][12]
[General View of the Interior of the Mosque][12]
[Façade and Gate of the Almanzor][13]
[View of Interior of the Mosque 961-967][14]
[The Mosque—Plan in the Time of the Arabs 786-796, 961-967, 988-1001, 1523-1593][15]
[The Mosque—Plan in its Present State, 786-796, 961-967, 988-1001, 1523-1593][16]
[Ancient Arab Tower, now the Church of St. Nicholas de la Villa][25]
[Orange Court in the Mosque, Moorish Style, Built 957, by Said Ben Ayout][26]
[Exterior of the Mosque][27]
[The Mosque—Section of the Mihrab][28]
[The Mosque—Portal on the North Side, Moorish Style, Built Under Hakam III., 988-1001][45]
[Exterior View of the Mosque][47]
[Exterior Angle of the Mosque][49]
[The Exterior of the Mosque][51]
[The Bridge][55]
[View of the Mosque and the Bridge][57]
[Section of the Mosque of Cordova on the Line of the Plan l. m.][59]
[Section of the Mosque of Cordova on the Line of the Plan n. o.][59]
[The Gates of Pardon][61]
[A View in the Garden Belonging to the Mosque][65]
[The Mosque—Lateral Gate][67]
[Interior of the Mosque, or Cathedral][69]
[Interior of the Mosque, Moorish Style, Built 961-967. Under Hakam II.][71]
[The Mosque][75]
[The Mosque—Interior View][77]
[Interior View of the Mosque][79]
[The Mosque—General View of the Interior][81]
[The Central Nave of the Mosque—961-967][85]
[The Mosque—Chief Entrance][87]
[Interior View of the Cathedral][89]
[Interior of the Mosque—Lateral Nave][91]
[Interior of the Mosque—East Side][91]
[The Mosque—Detail of the Gate][95]
[The Mosque—Façade of the Almanzor][95]
[View in the Mosque—961-967][97]
[The Mosque—A Gate on one of the Lateral Sides][99]
[The Mosque—Side of the Captive’s Column][101]
[Mosque, North Side—Exterior of the Chapel of St. Pedro][105]
[General View of the Interior of the Chapel of the Masura and St. Ferdinand][107]
[Detail of the Chapel of Masura][109]
[The Mosque—Elevation of the Gate of the Sanctuary of the Koran][111]
[The Mosque—Gate of the Sanctuary of the Koran][115]
[The Mosque—Mosaic Decoration of the Sanctuary, 965-1001][117]
[The Mosque—Right-hand Side Gate Within the Precincts of the Maksurrah][119]
[The Mosque—Section of the Cupola of the Mihrab][121]
[The Mosque—Dome of the Sanctuary][125]
[The Mosque—Roof of the Chapel of the Masura and St. Ferdinand][127]
[Villaviciosa Chapel][129]
[The Mosque—Detail of the Hall of Chocolate][131]
[Entrance to the Vestibule of the Mihrab][135]
[Mihrab or Sanctuary of the Mosque][137]
[The Mosque—Arch and Front of the Abd-er-Rahman and Mihrab Chapels][139]
[Entrance to the Chapel of the Mihrab][141]
[View of the Interior of the Mihrab Chapel][145]
[The Mosque—Details of the Interior of the Chapel of the Mihrab][147]
[The Mosque—Marble Socle in the Mihrab][149]
[Basement Panel of the Façade of the Mihrab][151]
[The Mosque—Front of the Trastamara Chapel][155]
[General View of the Chapel of Villaviciosa][157]
[North Angle of the Chapel of Villaviciosa][159]
[Villaviciosa Chapel][161]
[The Mosque—Chapel of Villaviciosa][165]
[Arab Tribune, To-day the Chapel of Villaviciosa, Left Side][167]
[Ancient Inscription of the Time of Khalifate, Found in an Excavation][169]
[The Mosque—Chapel of Trastamara, South Side][171]
[The Mosque—Detail of the Trastamara Chapel][171]
[The Mosque—Interior of the Mihrab][175]
[The Mosque—Arab Arcade Above the First Mihrab][175]
[The Mosque—Details, Arches of the Mihrab][177]
[The Mosque—Detail of the Mihrab][177]
[The Mosque—Exterior of the Chapel of the Mihrab][179]
[The Mosque—Gate of the Sultan][179]
[Principal Entrance to the Mosque][181]
[The Mosque—Detail Near the Mihrab][181]
[The Gates of Pardon][185]
[The Bishop’s Gate][185]
[The Mosque—Pilasters and Arabian Baths][187]
[Inscriptions and Arabian Chapters][191]
[The Mosque—A Cufic Inscription in the Place Appropriated to the Performance of Ablutions][193]
[Arabic Inscriptions][195]
[A Cufic Inscription on the Additions Made to the Mosque, by Order of the Khalif Al-Hakam][197]
[The Bridge Across the Guadalquivir, with a View of the Cathedral (Mezquita). The Scene as it Appeared in 1780. From Antigüedades Arabes de España. Madrid, 1780, fol.][201]
[View of Cordova Cathedral (Mezquita), as it Appeared in 1780. From Antigüedades Arabes de España. Madrid, 1780, fol.][203]
[Wall of the Mosque][205]
[Façade of the Mihrab][207]
[The Mosque—Arch of one of the Gates][211]
[The Mosque—Lattice][213]
[The Mosque—Ornamental Arched Window][217]
[The Mosque—Capitals of the Entrance Arch][219]
[Details of the Frieze][221]
[Plan][221]
[Keystone of Ornamental Arch][221]
[Details of the Cornice][223]
[Capital of Arch][227]
[Side View of the Cornice][227]
[Bases][227]
[East Façade, Without the Portico][229]
SEVILLE
[Façade of the Alcazar][241]
[Alcazar—Gates of the Principal Entrance][243]
[Façade of the Alcazar][247]
[Chief Entrance to the Alcazar, Moorish Style, Built Under Don Pedro I. the Cruel, 1369-1379][249]
[Alcazar—Principal Façade][253]
[Interior Court of the Alcazar][255]
[Alcazar—Arcade in the Principal Court][259]
[Alcazar—View of the Interior][261]
[Alcazar—Court of the Dolls][265]
[Alcazar—Court of the Dolls, Moorish Style, Built 1369-1379][267]
[Alcazar—The Court of the Dolls][271]
[Alcazar—Right Angle of the Court of the Dolls][273]
[Alcazar—Court of the Dolls][277]
[Alcazar—Upper Part of the Court of the Dolls][279]
[Alcazar—Upper Portions of the Court of the Dolls][283]
[Alcazar—Court of the Dolls][285]
[Alcazar—The Little Court][289]
[Alcazar—View in the Little Court][291]
[Alcazar—View of the Hall of Ambassadors from the Little Court][295]
[Alcazar—Hall of Ambassadors][297]
[Alcazar—Interior of the Hall of Ambassadors][301]
[Alcazar—The Hall of Ambassadors][303]
[Alcazar—Throne of Justice][307]
[Alcazar—Hall of Ambassadors][307]
[Alcazar—Façade of the Court of the Virgins][309]
[Alcazar—Interior of the Court of the Virgins, Moorish Style, Built 1369-1379][313]
[Alcazar—General View of the Court of the Hundred Virgins][315]
[Alcazar—Court of the Hundred Virgins][319]
[Alcazar—Court of the Virgins][321]
[Alcazar—Gallery in the Court of the Hundred Virgins][325]
[Alcazar—The Sultana’s Apartment and Court of the Virgins][327]
[Alcazar—Entrance to the Sleeping Saloon of the Moorish Kings][331]
[Alcazar—Dormitory of the Kings][333]
[Alcazar—The Dormitory][337]
[Alcazar—Front of the Sleeping Saloon of the Moorish Kings][339]
[Alcazar—Sleeping Saloon of the Moorish Kings][339]
[Alcazar—Room of the Infanta][343]
[Alcazar—Columns where Don Fadrique was Murdered][345]
[Alcazar—Gate of the Hall of San Fernando][349]
[Alcazar—Gallery of Hall of San Fernando][349]
[Alcazar—Hall in which King San Fernando Died][351]
[Alcazar—Room of the Prince][355]
[Alcazar—View of the Gallery from the Second Floor][357]
[Tower of the Giralda][361]
[Details of the Giralda Tower][363]
[Court of the House of Pilatos][367]
[Court of the House of Pilatos][369]
[House of Pilatos—View in the Court by the Door of the Chapel][373]
[House of Pilatos—Chapel][375]
[Gallery of the House of Pilatos][376]
[Gallery of the Court of the House of Pilatos][381]
[Court of the Palace of Medina-Cœli][385]
TOLEDO
[Santa Maria la Blanca—Interior, 1100-1150][395]
[The Gate of Blood][399]
[Interior of Santa Maria la Blanca][405]
[Gate of the Sun][409]
[Door of the Hall of Mesa][413]
[Exterior of the Chapel of Christo de la Vega][413]
[Ancient Gate of Visagra][419]
[Castle of St. Servando][419]
[Moorish Sword][423]
[Arab Fragment at Tarragona][429]
[Ancient Arabian Baths at Palma, Majorca][435]
MOORISH DESIGNS AND ORNAMENTS
[Designs and Ornaments][447-494]
[Description of the Plates—Hexagonal Family][495-586]

LIST OF COLOURED PLATES

Plate.Description.
[Frontispiece—Vertical Section of the Dome and Cupola of the Mihrab. Cordova.]
[I.][Shell-like Ornaments in the Cupola of the Mihrab. Cordova.]
[II.][Shell-like Ornaments in the Cupola of the Mihrab. Cordova.]
[III.][Shell-like Ornaments in the Cupola of the Mihrab. Cordova.]
[IV.][Part of the Ornamentation and Keystone of one of the Lower Arches, which gives Light to the Dome. Cordova.]
[IV.][Ring of the Cupola.]
[V.][Curvilineal Triangles, resulting from the Intersection of the Arches sustaining the Dome. Cordova.]
[V.][Setting of the Arches sustaining the Dome. Cordova.]
[VI.][Ornament running below the Cupola. Cordova.]
[VI.][Setting of one of the Lower Arches, which gives Light to the Dome. Cordova.]
[VII.][Curvilineal Triangles, resulting from the Intersection of the Arches sustaining the Dome.]
[VII.][Architrave of one of the Arches sustaining the Dome. Cordova.]
[VIII.][Details of the Gate of the Maksurrah. Cordova.]
[IX.][Arches of the Portal of the Mihrab. Cordova.]
[X.][Detail of the Framing of the Side Gate. Cordova.]
[X.][Detail of the Window placed over the Side Door. Cordova.]
[X.][Detail of the Framing of the Arch of the Mihrab.]
[XI.][Windows in an Alcove.]
[XII.][Arab Vase of Metallic Lustre.]
[XIII.][Details of the Arches.]
[XIV.][Centre Painting on a Ceiling.]
[XV.][Divan.]
[XVI.][Detail of an Arch.]
[XVII.][Gate of the Murada.]
[XVIII.][Details of the Mihrab.]
[XVIII.][Detail of one of the Arches of the Cupola.]
[XVIII.][Mosaic Keystones of the Great Arch of the Mihrab.]
[XIX.][Details, Villaviciosa Chapel and Mihrab.]
[XX.][Details of the Interior of the Mosque.]
[XXI.][Details of the Interior of the Mosque.]
[XXII.][Details of Moorish Work.]
[XXIII.][Details, Villaviciosa Chapel and Mihrab.]
[XXIV.][Details of Moorish Work.]
[XXV.][Frieze in the Hall of Ambassadors. Seville.]
[XXV.][Stucco Work in the Hall of Ambassadors. Seville.]
[XXV.][Mosaic in the Large Court. Seville.]
[XXV.][Mosaic in the Large Court. Seville.]
[XXVI.][Hall of Ambassadors—Details. Seville.]
[XXVII.][Hall of Ambassadors—Details. Seville.]
[XXVIII.][Hall of Ambassadors—Details. Seville.]
[XXIX.][Blank Window.]
[XXX.][Soffit of Arch.]
[XXXI.][Cornice at Springing of Arch of Doorway at one of the Entrances.]
[XXXII.][Borders of Arches.]
[XXXIII.][Borders of Arches.]
[XXXIV.][Border of Arches.]
[XXXV.][Ornament in Panels on the Wall.]
[XXXVI.][Bands, Side of Arches.]
[XXXVII.][Bands, Side of Arches.]
[XXXVIII.][Ornaments on Panels.]
[XXXIX.][Ornaments on Panels.]
[XL.][Ornaments on Panels.]
[XLI.][Ornaments on Panels]
[XLII.][Frieze in the Upper Chamber, House of Sanchez.]
[XLIII.][Cornice at Springing of Arches in a Window.]
[XLIV.][Panels on Walls.]
[XLV.][Spandrils of Arches.]
[XLVI.][Spandrils of Arches.]
[XLVII.][Spandrils of Arches.]
[XLVIII.][Plaster Ornaments, used as Upright and Horizontal Bands enclosing Panels on the Walls.]
[XLIX.][Blank Window.]
[L.][Rafters of a Roof over a Doorway, now destroyed, beneath the Tocador de la Reyna.]
[LI.][Band at Springing of Arch at the Entrance to one of the Halls.]
[LII.][Panelling of a Recess.]
[LIII.][Blank Window.]
[LIV.][Ornaments on the Walls, House of Sanchez.]
[LV.][Ornament in Panels on the Walls.]
[LVI.][Ornaments in Spandrils of Arches.]
[LVII.][Mosaic Dado in a Window, &c.]
[LVIII.][Mosaic Dados on Pillars.]
[LIX.][Mosaic Dados on Pillars.]
[LX.][Mosaics.]
[LXI.][Mosaic Dado round the Internal Walls of the Mosque.]
[LXII.][Painted Tiles.]
[LXIII.][Mosaics.]
[LXIV.][Mosaics.]
[LXV.][Ornaments in Panels.]
[LXVI.][Ornament over Arches at one of the Entrances.]
[LXVII.][Ornament on the Walls.]
[LXVIII.][Ornament in Panels on the Walls.]
[LXIX.][Small Panel in Jamb of a Window.]
[LXX.][Small Panel in Jamb of a Window.]
[LXXI.][Panel in the Upper Chamber of the House of Sanchez.]
[LXXII.][Spandril from Niche of Doorway at one of the Entrances.]
[LXXIII.][Lintel of a Doorway.]
[LXXIV.][Capital of Columns.]
[LXXV.][Capital of Columns.]
[LXXVI.][Capital of Columns.]
[LXXVII.][Socle of the Entrance Arch to the Ante-chapel.]
[LXXVIII.][Socle of the Entrance Arch to the Chapel.]
[LXXIX.][Detail of the Tiles of the Altar.]
[LXXX.][Socle in the Interior of the Chapel.]
[LXXXI.][Socle in the Interior of the Chapel.]
[LXXXII.][Mosaics from various Halls.]
[LXXXIII.][Mosaics from various Halls.]
[LXXXIV.][Part of Ceiling of a Portico.]