Four Decorated Cement Tiles. Beirut, early 20th century.

These tiles from Villa Al Makassed feature the “Araya” pattern, named after the Lebanese mountain town known for its historic railway station linking Beirut and Damascus. Their interlocking geometric frames and central floral motifs reflect the decorative vocabulary of the Mediterranean, while the earthy palette of ochre, burgundy-brown, and charcoal grey is characteristic of early 20th-century Lebanese interiors.

The lower tiles are reproductions of the originals above, produced at the same original factory for Villa Al Makassed’s restoration.