Pair of Doors Carved in the 'Beveled Style'
Unknown Artist
9th century
Medium
Wood (teak); carved
Dimensions
H. 86 1/2 in. (221 cm) W. 20 1/4 in (51.4 cm) Combined W. 41 1/4 in (104.8 cm) D. 1 1/2 in. Wt. 165 lbs. (74.8 kg) weight includes 31.119.1, 31.1192 and wooden mount without plexi. mount is probably half of this weight.
Classification
Wood
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1931
Accession Number
31.119.1
Art Historical Context
These pair of doors, carved from teak wood in the 9th century, showcase the refined artistry of early Islamic woodwork. Measuring over seven feet in height, the panels demonstrate the distinctive “beveled style,” in which motifs are cut at sloping angles rather than raised or incised in the usual manner. This technique produces a soft, shifting play of light and shadow that animates the surface without relying on deep relief. Created by an unknown artist and now part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Islamic Art collection, the doors highlight how functional objects could serve as vehicles for ele...