Artistic Exchange in the Medieval Islamic Sphere: The Case of al-Madrasa al-Nasiriya in Cairo

As political tensions between the Mamluks and the Ilkhanids eased, artistic and architectural exchanges between the two empires became more pronounced. In this period, new Ilkhanid architectural elements, materials and techniques were introduced into Cairo and gradually integrated into the well-established Mamluk artistic tradition. This article examines the impact of Ilkhanid craftsmanship on Mamluk art and architecture, with a particular focus on the mihrab of al-Madrasa al-Nasiriya. Drawing on historical sources and comparative analysis, this study emphasises the role of trade networks and migrating artisans in affecting the aesthetic vocabulary of Mamluk religious structures. This research offers a re-examination of the mihrab’s decorative elements, comparing them to those found in the Masjid-i Jamiʿ of Niriz and the Masjid-i Jamiʿ of Isfahan. By doing so, it highlights how an Ilkhanid aesthetic and the associated techniques were integrated into Mamluk art and architecture.