Antique Dealing and Creative Reuse in Cairo and Damascus 1850-1890

Between 1850 and 1890, the commodification of Islamic antiques intensified during the late Ottoman Empire, marked by domestic reforms and increased European influence post-Tanzimat. Mercedes Volait's study traces the social life of objects from Cairo and Damascus to global markets, revealing the complex agencies involved in architectural salvage and historic handicraft trade. The research uncovers how these artifacts influenced private interiors through creative reuse and Revival design, challenging conventional views on Orientalism in art, interior design, and Islamic architecture. By analyzing both local and global engagements with Middle Eastern heritage, Volait highlights the translocation of historic works of art and its broader cultural implications.

Volait, M. (2021). Antique Dealing and Creative Reuse in Cairo and Damascus 1850-1890. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004449886