Door thumbnail 1
Door thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Door

1800-1900 (made)
Place of origin

Door of walnut, pine and planewood, decorated with carving. The decorated side consists of a lunette of plane, carved with conventional floral scrollwork, symmetrically arranged, and an upright oblong, filled with applied geometrical designs. The oblong is surrounded by moulded framework. The plain walnut back is strengthened with three large battens, with moulded fronts. There is a hoop, a portion of a lockplate, and three staple hinges, all made of iron.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Door
  • Key
Materials and techniques
Carved walnut, pine and planewood with iron mounts and hinges
Brief description
Door of pine and planewood, decorated with carving and metal inlay, Ottoman Empire, possibly Turkey, 1800-1900
Physical description
Door of walnut, pine and planewood, decorated with carving. The decorated side consists of a lunette of plane, carved with conventional floral scrollwork, symmetrically arranged, and an upright oblong, filled with applied geometrical designs. The oblong is surrounded by moulded framework. The plain walnut back is strengthened with three large battens, with moulded fronts. There is a hoop, a portion of a lockplate, and three staple hinges, all made of iron.
Dimensions
  • Height: 189cm
  • Length: 88cm
Object history
V&A Record [1915/1416M] Description: “Door. Turkish (probably from Turkey in Europe). Pine and planewood, decorated with carving and metal inlay. It has iron and brass mounts. Said to have been formerly in a mosque. Purchased [along with 583 and 584-1908] in Budapest, Hungary for £31, 6 shillings, 10 pence.””

General Remarks: “The first two lines of the inscription are in Turkish. It is probably worth while to have these translated, as the end of the first line has a date; viz.72 and most likely they contain information about the object on which they are carved, whatever it is. The last two lines are in Arabic and run: “Oh, thou that lookest at it (i.e. the inscription) ask God for his Mercy on the writer, the sinful, contemplative one, who abases himself towards Him and believes in HIM [and I think] and pray for the writer, God, pardon his sins”. The Arabic is a little corrupt – probably written by someone who knew a few phrases. The two words over the inscription are also Arabic: they mean: Oh Helper! God is our Help. (signed) R. Guest. April 30 1915 – 1915/1416M
Collection
Accession number
585:1-1908

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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