MARRIOTT BUZZ NO. 16 - 2019

9 8 H I S T O R Y standing upright with his right leg placed in front of his left slightly and his head is adorned with a crown. He was grasping an Olympic torch in his right hand, while his left hand was raised high in front of his head, representing courage, strength and victory. Regrettably, this ornate pinnacle of the fountain is no longer present, and its description relates to how it used to look years ago. Another beautiful fountain, located in the palace gardens, just opposite the popular Promenade, is conceived in glorious bronze. Unlike the previous one, this fountain is in good condition, consisting of an eight-rib base, with ribs of 36 centimeters, and three separate leveled frames. The first frame has a base height of 28 centimeters, while the base above the octagonal foundation has a height of 80 centimeters. The base is a decorative unit that is medallion- shaped from the top, with intricate embellishment of the most luxurious forms of leaves, fruits and flowers. In the center of the circle is a hole from which a water faucet sprouts. The second level is a simple decorative medley of floral leaves and fruits that together form a larger floral shape. The octagonal body is also shaped like the crown of the column, with each of its sides heavily decorated. Topped by plant branches with an inscription written in English, the same as on the base, is the seal of the youth. High-edge decorated octagonal ribs in the form of floral decorations in grouped segments, mesh life forms of fish, flowers, branches and various plants in an engraved tapestry. From the outside, a decorative unit repeating the bottom of the eight ribs is a vegetal decoration of branches and flowers. In each of the eight corners of the shape there are water dispensers protruding. The first terrace is topped by another column, with its base also engraved with fish, frogs and flower patterns. The hull of the column is decorated with the shapes of barley and wheat stalks; it is also shaped like two opposite-facing birds. The column ends with a circular upper crown that rises above the fountain’s second terrace. A half- naked woman, who in her right hand clutches a grapevine branch, confidently sits atop. Illuminating Chandeliers The Salon Royal houses one of the hotel’s most prized artifacts, a stunning chandelier constructed in a body of metal, with glass and crystal adorments covering it throughout. Hanging from the ceiling from its middle, it also has an octagonal shape mounted on three columns, below them are eight smaller columns with hollow ribs decorated with geometric patterns. Below these a triplet of metallic harnesses hold ornate crystal glass dangling decorations. The chandelier’s body consists of three octagonal levels, the largest of which is its bottom one closest to the ground. These levels are connected by a middle column with metallic arms which resemble tree limbs with the shape of two semi circles at the end of each of the sides. Out of these circular rings come fronds and branches of plants and different types of leaves and foliage. Each of the octagonal sides on the base level is decorated from the inside on the body of two triangles mounted on supports, each of which ends in the shapes of triple-sheeted leaves. The three octagonal columns end with round tip fittings for electric light bulbs. Hanging delicately and splendidly from most of the parts of the chandelier are crystal danglers, some of which are smaller and others much larger mimicking the forms of plant leaves. The central column has a circular shape from which there is a large amount of dangling crystal decorative elements. In Saraya Gallery guests and visitors can marvel at a magnificent and cavernous copper-brass and glass Islamic-style lantern which is in near- perfect condition and a glorious example of the imaginative beauty of oriental art. This copper lantern is laden with intricately-detailed floral and vegetal motifs. It is conceived in a conical shape, with crystal glass lamps fitted with modern light bulbs in it, and hollow miniature lantern-shaped fixtures on which the main lamp rests. It is suspended from the ceiling by a thick metal chain ending in a round circle with four chains reaching and connecting to its four corners. The lantern, decorated with exceptionally-detailed Arabian motifs, calligraphy and geometric patterns making it a masterpiece of Islamic artistry. Salon Royal Chandelier Saraya Gallery Chandelier