An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s
Cement tiles are an instance of the new materials of construction that characterized the architecture of Modernity in Syria and Lebanon beginning in the late nineteenth century. The introduction of this material, widespread during the colonial and post-colonial periods, goes back to the 1880s. It wa...
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| Format: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
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ABE Journal
2015
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| Dostęp online: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
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openedition-oai:revues.org:abe_10849 |
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openedition |
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OpenEdition Journal |
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Anglais |
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Article ou chapitre numérique |
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0/Bibliothèque numérique/ 1/Bibliothèque numérique/OpenEdition Journals/ |
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transferencia cultural baldosa hidráulica Kulturtransfer Zementfliese cement tile cultural transfer piastrelle di cemento trasferimento culturale carreau de ciment transfert culturel |
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transferencia cultural baldosa hidráulica Kulturtransfer Zementfliese cement tile cultural transfer piastrelle di cemento trasferimento culturale carreau de ciment transfert culturel Soufan, Anas An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| description |
Cement tiles are an instance of the new materials of construction that characterized the architecture of Modernity in Syria and Lebanon beginning in the late nineteenth century. The introduction of this material, widespread during the colonial and post-colonial periods, goes back to the 1880s. It was an effect of major upheavals that struck Syrian society in the wake of the Egyptian expedition (1831-1840). Undoubtedly, this material influenced interior design, offering a new understanding of material and color and, subsequently, a new appropriation of the interior space. Indeed, the cement tiles, whose span extended to all the Mediterranean shores, created a supplementary expression of their artistic and cultural interconnectivities. This investigation into the importation and local manufacturing of this material raises not only technical aspects but also the general context that affected building activities during the period under review. Therefore, this survey’s analyses and conclusions seek to articulate the impact of the esthetic, industrial, and commercial characteristics of the cement tiles, as well as the historic dimension of their employment, the Syrians’ tendency toward imitation and renewal, the acceleration of contacts with Europe, and transformations in the ways of production and consumption. Although cement tiles were for decades the most widely utilized floor covering material in Syria and Lebanon, its importation and local manufacturing have not been the thrust of specialized investigations. Only a few related themes have been approached by scholars such as Robert Saliba and ‘Ādel Sṭās and by architects such as Sophie Skaf, who developed a notable inventory of widespread models in Beirut–and other cities–during the first half of the twentieth century. Thus, the aim of our survey is to build on previous work and to propose an established historiography of the importation and the local manufacturing of cement tiles in a defined temporal and geographical framework: Damascus and Beirut, from the 1880s to the 1930s. |
| author |
Soufan, Anas |
| author_facet |
Soufan, Anas |
| author_sort |
Soufan, Anas |
| title |
An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| title_short |
An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| title_full |
An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| title_fullStr |
An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| title_full_unstemmed |
An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| title_sort |
overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in syria and lebanon: damascus-beirut, 1880s-1940s |
| publisher |
ABE Journal |
| publishDate |
2015 |
| container_title |
URI:https://journals.openedition.org/abe |
| url |
https://ezproxy.univ-orleans.fr/login?url=https://doi.org/10.4000/abe.10849 https://ezproxy.univ-orleans.fr/login?url=https://journals.openedition.org/abe/10849 |
| _version_ |
1877294421244903424 |
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openedition-oai:revues.org:abe_10849 https://doi.org/10.4000/abe.10849 urn:doi:10.4000/abe.10849 en https://journals.openedition.org/abe/10849 2015-12-15T01:00:00Z info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess article info:eu-repo/semantics/article urn:handle:20.500.13089/8iqo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ An overview of cement tile manufacturing and importation in Syria and Lebanon: Damascus-Beirut, 1880s-1940s ABE Journal InVisu info:eu-repo/semantics/reference/issn/2275-6639 URI:https://journals.openedition.org/abe Soufan, Anas Syrie Moyen-Orient Asie Liban Damas transferencia cultural baldosa hidráulica Kulturtransfer Zementfliese cement tile cultural transfer piastrelle di cemento trasferimento culturale carreau de ciment transfert culturel Cement tiles are an instance of the new materials of construction that characterized the architecture of Modernity in Syria and Lebanon beginning in the late nineteenth century. The introduction of this material, widespread during the colonial and post-colonial periods, goes back to the 1880s. It was an effect of major upheavals that struck Syrian society in the wake of the Egyptian expedition (1831-1840). Undoubtedly, this material influenced interior design, offering a new understanding of material and color and, subsequently, a new appropriation of the interior space. Indeed, the cement tiles, whose span extended to all the Mediterranean shores, created a supplementary expression of their artistic and cultural interconnectivities. This investigation into the importation and local manufacturing of this material raises not only technical aspects but also the general context that affected building activities during the period under review. Therefore, this survey’s analyses and conclusions seek to articulate the impact of the esthetic, industrial, and commercial characteristics of the cement tiles, as well as the historic dimension of their employment, the Syrians’ tendency toward imitation and renewal, the acceleration of contacts with Europe, and transformations in the ways of production and consumption. Although cement tiles were for decades the most widely utilized floor covering material in Syria and Lebanon, its importation and local manufacturing have not been the thrust of specialized investigations. Only a few related themes have been approached by scholars such as Robert Saliba and ‘Ādel Sṭās and by architects such as Sophie Skaf, who developed a notable inventory of widespread models in Beirut–and other cities–during the first half of the twentieth century. Thus, the aim of our survey is to build on previous work and to propose an established historiography of the importation and the local manufacturing of cement tiles in a defined temporal and geographical framework: Damascus and Beirut, from the 1880s to the 1930s. Zementfliesen sind ein Beispiel für die charakteristischen Baumaterialien die im späten 19. Jahrhundert eingeläutete architektonischen Moderne in Syrien und im Libanon. Eingeführt wurde das zu kolonialen und post-kolonialen Zeiten weitverbreitete Material bereits in den 1880er Jahren - eine Folgeerscheinung der tiefgreifenden Umbrüche, die der Einfall Ägyptens (1831-1840) in der syrischen Gesellschaft auslöste. Innenarchitektonisch war dieser Baustoff insofern unleugbar von Bedeutung, als er eine neue Auffassung von Stofflichkeit und Farbe und eine dementsprechend gewandelte Innenraumbehandlung mit sich brachte. Faktisch war die Zementfliese, deren Präsenz sich im gesamten Mittelmeerraum ausbreitete, ein weiterer Beleg für die vielseitigen künstlerischen und kulturellen Beziehungen der Anrainer untereinander. Für die kritische Auseinandersetzung mit dem Importgeschäft und der Herstellung dieses Baumaterials vor Ort waren nicht nur technische Gesichtspunkte, sondern auch der weitere Kontext des Baugeschehens der hier zur Diskussion stehenden Epoche relevant. Daher zielen die Analysen und Schlussfolgerungen dieser Studie darauf ab, die Bedeutung der ästhetischen, industriellen und kommerziellen Besonderheiten von Zementfliesen, wie auch die historische Dimension ihrer Verwendung, den Hang der Syrer zu Nachahmung und Erneuerung, die Zunahme der Beziehungen nach Europa und die sich wandelnden Herstellungsweisen und Verwendungsarten aufzuzeigen. Obwohl Zementfliesen jahrzehntelang der am häufigsten verwendete Bodenbelag in Syrien und im Libanon waren, wurde bisher ihr Import und ihre lokale Herstellung nicht erforscht. Nur einige wenige Fragestellungen zu diesem Thema wurden von Wissenschaftlern wie Robert Saliba oder ‘Ādel Sṭās bzw. von Architektinnen wie Sophie Skaf behandelt, die ein bemerkenswertes Verzeichnis der in Beirut – und anderen Städten – in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts verbreiteten Muster erstellte. Die auf diese Arbeiten aufbauende Fragestellung unserer Studie betraf daher eine faktenbasierte Geschichte des Imports und der heimischen Produktion von Zementfliesen, in einem vorgegebenen geografischen und zeitlichen Rahmen: Damaskus und Beirut von den 1880er bis in die 1930er Jahre. Le piastrelle di cemento rappresentano in modo esemplare i nuovi materiali da costruzione che hanno caratterizzato l'architettura della Modernità in Siria e Libano fin dal tardo xix secolo. Le prime testimonianze dell’uso di questo materiale, diffuso durante il periodo coloniale e post-coloniale, risalgono agli anni compresi tra il 1880 e il 1890. Si tratta di un effetto secondario dei grandi sconvolgimenti che hanno colpito la società siriana sin dall’invasione egiziana (1831-1840). Le piastrelle di cemento hanno indubbiamente influenzato il design degli interni, favorendo una nuova comprensione della materia e del colore, e di conseguenza una nuova appropriazione dello spazio interno. La loro diffusione verso tutte le coste del Mediterraneo ha permesso una nuova espressione di interconnessioni artistiche e culturali. Le ricerche sulla fabbricazione e l'importazione locale di questo materiale non riguardano solo gli aspetti tecnici, ma anche il contesto generale che ha interessato le attività di costruzione nel periodo in questione. Pertanto, le loro analisi e conclusioni mirano ad includere l'impatto delle caratteristiche estetiche, industriali e commerciali delle piastrelle di cemento, così come la dimensione storica del loro impiego, l’attaccamento dei siriani per l’imitazione e il rinnovamento, l'accelerazione dei contatti con l'Europa e le mutazioni nei modi di produzione e di consumo. Anche se, per decenni, le piastrelle di cemento sono state il materiale più utilizzato per il rivestimento dei pavimenti in Siria e in Libano, la loro importazione e la produzione locale non hanno suscitato indagini specialistiche. Solo alcuni temi correlati sono stati trattati da studiosi come Robert Saliba e 'Adel Sṭās o da architetti come Sophie Skaf che ha elaborato un vasto inventario sui modelli diffusi a Beirut e in altre città durante la prima metà del xx secolo. L'obiettivo della nostra indagine è pertanto quello di prendere come spunto i precedenti lavori e proporre una storiografia stabile dell’importazione e della produzione locale delle piastrelle di cemento in un quadro temporale e geografico delimitato: Damasco e Beirut, dal 1880 al 1940. Le carreau de ciment est un exemple type des nouveaux matériaux de construction qui caractérisent l’architecture de la modernité en Syrie et au Liban à partir la fin du xixe siècle. L’introduction de ce matériau, si répandu aux époques coloniale et postcoloniale, remonte aux années 1880, et il reflète les bouleversements qui ont frappé la société syrienne à la suite de l’expédition égyptienne de 1831-1840. Ce matériau eut une influence indéniable sur le décor intérieur, offrant une nouvelle compréhension de la matière et de la couleur et, partant, une appropriation renouvelée de l’espace intérieur. Le carreau de ciment, dont l’utilisation s’est propagée sur toutes les rives de la Méditerranée, témoigne des interactions artistiques et culturelles de ces régions. Toute enquête sur l’importation et la manufacture locale de ce matériau soulève des questions non seulement sur ses aspects techniques mais aussi sur le contexte des activités de construction pendant la période en question. Cet article se propose d’analyser et de qualifier l’importance des caractéristiques esthétiques, industrielles et commerciales du carreau de ciment, ainsi que la dimension historique de son utilisation, le goût des Syriens pour l’imitation et l’innovation, l’accélération des échanges avec l’Europe et la transformation des moyens de production et de consommation. Les carreaux de ciment furent, des décennies durant, le revêtement de sol le plus répandu en Syrie et au Liban ; leur importation et leur manufacture locale n’ont cependant jamais fait l’objet d’enquêtes spécialisées. Seuls quelques thèmes en lien avec le sujet ont été abordés par des chercheurs tels que Robert Saliba et ‘Adel Sṭàs, ou par des architectes comme Sophie Straf, qui a dressé un inventaire précieux des modèles les plus répandus à Beyrouth – et dans d’autres villes – dans la première moitié du xxe siècle. Notre recherche a donc pour objectif d’enrichir les travaux précédents en proposant une historiographie de l’importation et de la manufacture locale des carreaux de ciment selon un cadre temporel et géographique défini : Damas et Beyrouth, des années 1880 aux années 1930. La baldosa hidráulica es un buen ejemplo de los nuevos materiales de construcción que caracterizan la arquitectura de la modernidad en Siria y en Líbano a partir de finales del siglo xix. La introducción de este material, tan extendido en época colonial y postcolonial, se remonta a los años 1880 y refleja los cambios que sufre la sociedad siria tras la expedición egipcia de 1831-1840. Este material tuvo una innegable influencia en la decoración de interiores y supuso una nueva forma de entender el material y el color para, a partir de ahí, renovar la concepción del espacio interior. Ampliamente extendida en ambas orillas del Mediterráneo, la baldosa hidráulica refleja las interacciones artísticas y culturales en la región. Cualquier investigación sobre la importación y la manufactura local de este material plantea cuestiones no sólo técnicas, sino también relativas a la actividad constructiva durante el período en cuestión. Este artículo se propone analizar y evaluar la importancia de las características estéticas, industriales y comerciales de la baldosa hidráulica, así como la dimensión histórica de su uso, el gusto de los sirios por la imitación y la innovación, la aceleración de los intercambios comerciales con Europa y la transformación de los medios de producción y de consumo. Aunque las baldosas hidráulicas fueron durante décadas el pavimento más usual en Siria y Líbano, su importación y su manufactura local no han sido objeto de trabajos especializados. Sólo algunos temas conexos han sido abordados por investigadores como Robert Saliba y ‘Adel Sṭàs5, o por arquitectos como Sophie Straf quien realizó un inventario de gran valor de los modelos más usuales en Beirut – y en otras ciudades- durante la primera mitad del siglo xx. Nuestra investigación se propone dar continuidad a los trabajos ya realizados y ofrecer una historiografía de la importación y de la manufactura local de baldosas hidráulicas en un marco temporal y geográfico bien definido: las ciudades de Damasco y Beirut entre los años 1880 y 1930. |