1-632-183 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The harem-windows in the court of a wealthy Cairene's house, Cairo, Egypt', 1905. 'The ground floor, the carved doorway to which you see here on the right behind the tree, is reserved for the men and is called the salamlik. There the master of the house receives his friends, who, according to Moslem politeness, must not give the slightest intimation that they are aware of the existence of any women in the house. If any of these friends are taken to the second floor they raise their voices and let it be known that they are coming, in order to warn the women and give them time to retire or to veil themselves; for the harem, the apartment of the women, is on the upper floor. There is rarely any higher floor in a Cairo house.' Stereoscopic card. Detail. From a series called Egypt Through the Stereoscope, text by James H Breasted.