IRAN, 19TH CENTURY OR POSSIBLY EARLIER

Details

A PAIR OF QAJAR SILVER DOOR PANELS
IRAN, 19TH CENTURY OR POSSIBLY EARLIER
Each of rectangular form, worked in high relief with a two-line cursive inscription, set against a ground of scrolling vine on ring-matted background, in a narrow border of pearl motifs, numerous holes for attachment, mounted separately
Each 5 5/8 x 18 1/8in. (14.3 x 46.2cm.) (2)

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Lot Essay

The inscription consists of a call to God to bless Muhammad, 'Ali, Fatima, Hassan, Husayn, Zayn al-'Abidin and Muhammad Baqir.

These panels were obviously created to be a part of the door to a shrine or mosque. Safavid silver doors still survive at the entrance to the College of the Mother of the Shah in Isfahan and other buildings of the period. For a survey please see James W. Allan, "Silver Door Facings of the Safavid Period", Iran, vol.32, 1995. Although the style is very close to those of the Safavid period, the work on these examples, particularly the ring matted ground, make a 19th century Qajar date much more probable.

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