http://collection.shangrilahawaii.org/internal/media/dispatcher/42545/fullPolychrome Marble Inlaid Floor and Wall Panelsc. 1800Overall: 312 1/8 x 15 in. (792.8 x 38.1cm)Marble, stone inlay41.21The floor and wall panels of the Ottoman Gallery were created from historical marble panels as well as modern panels custom-made for this space. Created as the “Syrian room” for Shangri La, the floor was created to accompany the acquisition of an interior of an ‘ataba — or reception hall — from Ottoman Damascus, dating to the middle of the 1800s. The elaborate, geometric designs of the marble tiles were created using a technique called opus sectile, or “stone mosaic” in which mother-of-pearl is inlaid to marble.
Arriving in unmarked boxes, the jigsaw-like pieces were assembled by workmen of Hawaiʻi - and some of the resulting motifs very closely resemble traditional Hawaiian quilt patterns more than typically Ottoman geometric design.
Stonework38.1000000000792.79750000001648255419