Window of the Hassen Pasha Palace - Algiers
The trade of woodwork and decoration in Algeria has long been an activity reflecting both aesthetic requirements and practical utility, two values still present in Algerian craftsmanship.
Wood, an essential raw material for the evolution of this art, was fortunately widespread throughout the country. Among the most used woods were thuja, cedar, pine, holm oak, cork oak, pear and olive. The main timber centers were in Algiers, Kabylia, Tlemcen and certain regions of the South.
It was used to manufacture all kinds of works essential to daily life, as it was used in architectural work (ceiling, door, window, staircase, minbar (preaching pulpit), etc.) as well as in interior and exterior decoration.
Among the buildings which benefited from rich and important wooden ornaments, include constructions of a public and religious nature, as well as certain private residences. We can still admire today certain works of rare finesse in their original location, or preserved in different museums.
Three magnificent examples, illustrating the unequal talent of Algerian artisans, were taken up by an issue of postage stamps, these are a door and a window from the Hassen Pasha palace and the ceiling of Djamaa Edjedid, all of them located in Algiers.
Wood, an essential raw material for the evolution of this art, was fortunately widespread throughout the country. Among the most used woods were thuja, cedar, pine, holm oak, cork oak, pear and olive. The main timber centers were in Algiers, Kabylia, Tlemcen and certain regions of the South.
It was used to manufacture all kinds of works essential to daily life, as it was used in architectural work (ceiling, door, window, staircase, minbar (preaching pulpit), etc.) as well as in interior and exterior decoration.
Among the buildings which benefited from rich and important wooden ornaments, include constructions of a public and religious nature, as well as certain private residences. We can still admire today certain works of rare finesse in their original location, or preserved in different museums.
Three magnificent examples, illustrating the unequal talent of Algerian artisans, were taken up by an issue of postage stamps, these are a door and a window from the Hassen Pasha palace and the ceiling of Djamaa Edjedid, all of them located in Algiers.