Qamariyyat Models illustrating contemporary artisanal process by Mohamed El-Deeb 2024, Cairo, Egypt
The first Qamariyya window demonstrates the carving process on the front face of the stucco slab. The pattern is drawn onto the stucco, and voids are pierced using custom-made tools called Zuwāna (Piercing Saw) and ẓufur (Carving Chisel).
The second Qamariyya window illustrates the process of creating the backside after placing the glass pieces. Notably, a single piece of glass can span multiple adjacent apertures. Once the glass is set, a layer of plaster is poured across the back to secure it in place. The frame is crafted from Scandinavian wood, which naturally contains sufficient oil to withstand the wet gypsum. The gypsum used originates from the Sinai Peninsula, a historically significant source of this material in Egypt.
Aga Khan Documentation Center, Department of Distinctive Collections, MIT Libraries: 1503905604