Zirid

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Scope note
Refers to the culture associated with the Islamic dynasty of this name that ruled in parts of North Africa and Spain and was an active patron of art and architecture between 972 and 1152. Zirid architecture was open to outside influences: the ruins of the palace of Ziri at Ashir suggest that it was modeled on an early Fatimid palace at Mahdia and the extensive ruins of the palaces at the Qal 'at bani hammad show similarities with Fatimid architecture in Egypt and Norman architecture in Sicily. There are several Zirid buildings in Granada, including a palace (1052-6) on the site of the Alhambra erected by Yusuf ibn Naghrallah, the Zirid's Jewish vizier. The only remains of this splendid palace are 12 white marble lions, reused in the 14th century for the central fountain in the Palace of the Lions. Zirid patrons also furnished religious buildings; for example, a carved wooden minbar was given in 980 by the Zirid ruler Buluggin to the mosque of the Andalusians in Fez. The most important example of Zirid woodwork is the heavily carved maqsura ordered by al-Mu'izz ibn Badis for the congregational mosque at Kairouan; a carved inscription is outlined by a distinctively Zirid raised bead. Bookmaking also flourished during this dynasty and the ruler himself was the author of an important treatise on the art of the book.
Zirid
Accepted term: 18-Nov-2024