A PAIR OF SAFAVID-REVIVAL DOORS

The degree of sophistication and the lavishness of the decoration of these carved wooden doors indicate that they once furnished an elite domestic interior. Their dense and exuberant surface decoration is done in carved wood and carved and open work ivory, and includes scenes of scholarly gatherings around the theme of knowledge and teaching. The designs include animals, humans, and vegetal motifs in combination with mythical creatures all set upon intricate vegetal backgrounds. The outer borders include the twelve zodiac signs.
The decoration of our doors recall contemporary bookbindings and carpets and were based on the designs of court artists of the Qajar period and previous dynasties. Our door can be classified as Safavid revival, for it is rendered in a style associated with late medieval and early modern miniature painting, one that favoured scholarly and courtly leisure scenes and intricate detail. It is excellent evidence of the transfer of the miniature style of painting to larger-scale furnishings during the Qajar period.
Other similar examples of Qajar doors are in the Doris Duke Museum in Shangrila (inv.no.64.60a-b and 64.48.1) and one in the V which bears similar scenes to our door (inv.no.W.9-1933).