Thelambrequin arch,^[1][2][3][4] is a type ofarch with an ornate profile of lobes and points. It is especially characteristic ofMoorish architecture in North Africa and present-day Spain. Themuqarnas arch,^[5] whoseintrados (inner surfaces) are made up ofmuqarnas (or stalactite) sculpting, also resembles the profile of the lambrequin arch and is related to it in form and perhaps in origin.

This type of arch was introduced into theMaghreb andal-Andalus regions during theAlmoravid period (11th–12th centuries), with an early appearance in the funerary section of theQarawiyyin Mosque (inFez) dating from the early 12th century.^[6]: 232 Examples are of this form are also found in the Almoravid-era decoration of theGreat Mosque of Tlemcen (founded in 1082, redecorated in 1136).^[4]: 79 Its use is particularly characteristic of the Maghreb and it grew in importance during the followingAlmohad period.^[3]: 123

At least two different origins have been suggested for the lambrequin arch. Scholar François-Auguste de Montêquin states that it is a more elaborate derivation of themixtilinear arches that appeared in the architecture of theTaifa period in al-Andalus (11th century), as seen in the prayer room of theAljaferia Palace inZaragoza. It was also common in subsequentAlmoravid architecture, as seen around themihrab of the Great Mosque of Tlemcen.^[4]: 79 Art historianJonathan Bloom also describes the lambrequin arch as an elaboration of the Almoravid mixtilinear arch.^[3]: 123

Architectural historianGeorges Marçais states that the lambrequin arch might have been derived frommuqarnas, a three-dimensional geometric sculpting often nicknamed "stalactites", which was used incorbeling and arches.^[6]: 232 Jonathan Bloom also notes a visual relation between the lambrequin arch andmuqarnas, with the lambrequin arch profile resembling a two-dimensional reduction of amuqarnas vault.^[3]: 123 Architecture professor Friedrich Ragette refers to the lambrequin arches of theTinmal and Qarawiyyin mosques as "muqarnas arches".^[5] Some lambrequin arches also featuremuqarnas sculpting on the intrados of the arch; for example, in the arches near themihrab of theKutubiyya Mosque inMarrakesh,^[7]: 125 the arch before themihrab in theGreat Mosque of Fes el-Jdid,^{[8]: 77–78} and the arches in theSaadian Tombs in Marrakesh.^[9]: 234

The lambrequin arch remained common in the subsequent architecture of the region, in many cases used to emphasize themaqsura, or the space near themihrab area of a mosque.^[6][7][9][3]Muqarnas arches are also found in theAlhambra palaces inGranada, particularly in theCourt of Lions. De Montêquin refers to a variant of multifoil arch in the Alhambra with muqarnas or lambrequin profiles as the "Nasrid arch".^[4] Lambrequin arches also appear inMudéjar architecture of this era. Both lambrequin and related mixtilinear arches continued to appear in laterSpanish architecture in both Spain and Latin America, including in theBaroque architecture of these regions from the 18th century.^[4]: 79

• 
  Example ofmixtilinear arches (left and center) in theAljaferia ofZaragoza (11th century,Taifa period)
• 
  Lambrequin arches around themihrab of theQarawiyyin Mosque inFes, from theAlmoravid period (early 12th century)
• 
  Lambrequin arches in theqibla aisle of theTinmal Mosque (mid-12th century,Almohad period)
• 
  Lambrequin arch in theGreat Mosque of Taza (Almohad period, withMarinid decoration)^[8]: 53
• 
  Amuqarnas arch in theMadrasa al-Attarine, Fes (1323–1325, Marinid period)
• 
  Amuqarnas arch or "Nasrid arch" (top) in the gallery of theCourtyard of the Lions in theAlhambra,Granada (14th century,Nasrid period)
• 
  Lambrequin arch withmuqarnas intrados in theSaadian Tombs, Marrakesh (16th century,Saadi period)
• 
  Lambrequin arches in theBahia Palace inMarrakesh, Morocco (late 19th century or early 20th century,Alawi period)

• Horseshoe arch
• Multifoil arch

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