Mshatta Facade

The Mshatta Facade, an exquisitely decorated segment of the 8th-century Umayyad palace Qasr Mshatta in Jordan, now graces the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. This remarkable piece belongs to the museum's Islamic Art collection, which spans from the 8th to the 19th centuries. The facade's journey to Berlin commenced when Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II gifted it to German Emperor Wilhelm II.

Originally, the palace served as a winter residence and storage facility during the Umayyad period, likely constructed under Caliph Al-Walid II. The facade, made of intricately carved stone, stands in contrast to the main structures built from burnt brick. While the exact original name of Mshatta is lost to history, the current name derives from modern Bedouin usage in the area.

Unearthed in 1840, the facade was transported to Berlin in the early 20th century and meticulously reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum. Despite suffering damage during World War II, it remains a striking exhibit of early Islamic art and architecture, adorned with arabesque patterns, millefleur designs, and detailed relief carvings of animals.

One intriguing aspect of the facade is its asymmetry: the left side features animal motifs, while the right side, thought to be the mosque's exterior wall, is devoid of such imagery. This contrast has sparked considerable scholarly debate. The Mshatta Facade stands as a monumental testament to the artistic techniques and architectural styles of early Islamic culture.