About this sheet
This detailed architectural engraving from 1776 presents the ground plan, sectional view, and elevation of the famous "Joseph’s Well" located within the Citadel of Cairo. Known locally as Bir Yusuf, this deep shaft was historically believed to have been built by Saladin in the 12th century to ensure a steady water supply during sieges, although it became popularly associated in European tradition with the biblical Joseph. The engraving is marked as Plate XV and originates from the Dutch edition of Richard Pococke’s travel writings.
The upper section, labeled A, shows an exterior elevation of the well's upper enclosure, including stone walls and a large water wheel, or noria, used to lift water. Below this are vertical sections and technical illustrations of the shaft, including staircases and inner chambers labeled with letters. One section clearly shows a double-helix spiral staircase, a rare and ingenious feature that allowed two people or animals to ascend and descend simultaneously without crossing paths.
To the right are labeled floor plans of the upper and lower chambers of the well structure, as well as a cross-section revealing internal elements such as the aqueduct channel and storage rooms. These plans reflect a high level of engineering for the medieval Islamic world and emphasize the strategic importance of water control in Cairo’s military and urban history.
The Dutch caption reads, "Gezigt, Platte-Grond en Door-snee van den zoge-naamden Josephs-Put in het Kasteel te Kairo," which translates to "View, ground plan and section of the so-called Joseph’s Well in the Citadel of Cairo."
This print is part of Beschryving van het Oosten en van eenige andere landen (Description of the East and Some Other Lands), translated and annotated by Ernst Willem Cramerus and published in Utrecht, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam in 1776. Pococke’s documentation of this remarkable well is among the earliest detailed European records of this engineering marvel.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Light general toning and minor edge wear, mostly in the outer margins. Sharp impression with clean lines and wide borders. No tears or repairs. Folding lines as issued. Blank on verso.
Framing tips:
Frame in a black, walnut, or dark oak frame with an ivory or pale gray mat. The combination of technical diagrams and historical subject matter makes it ideal for display in a study, library, or collection focused on engineering or Islamic architecture.
