The degree of sophistication and the lavishness of the decoration of these carved wooden doors indicate that they once furnished an elite religious interior. Their dense and exuberant surface decoration is done in carved wood, and includes complex geometric patterns, floral motifs and calligraphy. The heavy use of Qur’anic extracts in the calligraphic panels suggests that these doors were used in a religious building. The three-panel door style was found in Iran from the thirteenth century, and features on various important monuments such as the Gur-e Amir, Timur's tomb, in Samarkand, dated AH 808/1405 AD (Pope and Ackerman, A Survey of Persian Art, vol. II, New York, 1938-9, pp.1152-55).

A closely related pair of doors, which feature three panels with complex geometric designs and bands of kufic inscriptions were sold in these Rooms, 28 October 2020, lot 39.

Post Lot Text

The USA prohibits the purchase by US persons of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments. The US sanctions apply to US persons regardless of the location of the transaction or the shipping intentions of the US person. For this reason, Christie’s will not accept bids by US persons on this lot. Non-US persons wishing to import this lot into the USA are advised that they will need to apply for an OFAC licence and that this can take many months to be granted.

Please note that at the end of the sale this lot will be transferred to an offsite storage facility. Please refer to the storage and collection terms as set out in the terms and conditions for further informaion.