Pair of Carved Doors
Unknown Artist
dated A.H. [8]70/ 1466 CE
Medium
Wood (teak); carved
Dimensions
H. 59 1/4 in. (150.5 cm) W. 32 in. (81.3 cm) Gr. D. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm) Wt. 48 lbs (21.8 kg)
Classification
Wood
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1935
Accession Number
35.127a, b
Art Historical Context
These intricately carved teak doors, dated to 1466 CE (A.H. 870), stand as a remarkable example of fifteenth-century Islamic woodwork. Created by an unknown artisan, the pair would have originally graced the entrance of a mosque, palace, or important civic building, where their presence signaled both protection and prestige. Teak, valued for its durability and rich grain, was often imported across trade routes, highlighting the extensive networks that connected the Islamic world with regions like South Asia. The carving technique demonstrates exceptional skill, transforming solid wood into a ...