An impressive pair of ivory-inlaid wooden doors, Persia, circa 18th century, with later inscriptions carved in the border

of rectangular form, composed of numerous polygonal insets, both doors comprised of three panels with borders, the central section with interlacing geometric star designs inlaid with finely carved ivory plaques featuring floral and arabesque designs including carved inscriptions, the wooden borders carved in deep relief with calligraphic inscriptions amongst foliate scrolls, with a tress border, the reverse with a lightly carved pattern of polygons

Acquired by the present owner from a private collection in France in 1977.

Both in general good condition, carvings clear and inlays bright, some missing decorative inlay pieces, few cracks in wood consistent with age, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

The right door 

In the outer borders:

The Bismillah followed by prayers and includes: 'This Noble Dome'.

In the centre of the top panel: al-'azimah li'llah  'Might is God's'

In the corner cartouches in the above panel: Qur'an, chapter CXII (al-Ikhlas) and invocations to the Four Angels: Jibra'il, Mika'il, Israfil and 'Izra'il.

In the centre of the lower panel: al-hukm li'llah  'Command is God's'

In the corner cartouches in the above panel: Qur'an, chapter CXIV (al-Nas).

In the top horizontal panel: The Shahada.

In the lower horizontal panel: Call to god to bless Muhammad, his family, all of them.

In the small cartouches of the middle vertical panels: Invocations to God through seven of His attributes (one is missing).

In the top cartouche:

amara bi-'imarat qubbah al-sharifa taj al-millah shahanshah
'Crown of people, King of kings ordered the construction of [this] noble dome [shrine]'

The left door

In the three outer borders: Prayers including a part of the al-Inshirah.

In the centre of the top panels: al-hikma li'llah  'Wisdom is God's'

In the cartouches in the above panel: Qur'an, chapter CXIV (al-Nas).

In the centre of the lower panel: al-mulk li'llah  'Sovereignty is God's'

In the cartouches in the above panel: Qur'an, chapter CIX (al-Kafirun).

In the two horizontal panels: Qur'an, chapter XXXIII (al-Ahzab), verse 56.

In the small cartouches of the middle vertical panels: Invocations to God through eight of His attributes.

In the hexagonal panels, repeat of the name 'Muhammad'

In the top cartouche:
abi shuja' fana khusraw la zala (sic) al-sultan 'adud al-dawla
'Abi Shuja' Fana Khusraw, may the Sultan 'Adud al-Dawla not diminish (sic)'

In the lower border band:
fi shahr muharram sana thalathin wa 'ishrin wa kha[m]sa mi'a
'In the month of Muharram, the year 523 (December 1128-January 1129 AD)'

These prayers are specifically recommended to be recited in the al-Sahla Mosque near Kufa, which was renovated by the Buyid Shi'i ruler 'Adud al-Dawla. The Sahla Mosque is particularly important among Shi'is, as according to some reports, the twelth Imam, Muhammad, is expected to take his seat in this mosque when he appears to govern the world. The shahada is given once without mentioning 'Ali in the shahada or anywhere else. There are many prayers mentioning the name Muhammad, without his titles 'Messenger' or 'Prophet'. The name Muhammad is also repeated in the hexagon of the left door.

A related pair of doors, which feature three panels with complex geometric designs inlaid with various types of wood, ivory and brass, are in the David Collection, Copenhagen (inv. no. 35/2000) (illustrated in Copenhagen 2001, p.280, no.448). In both the present pair of doors and those in the David Collection, even the reverse is decorated, albeit with a simpler design, mirroring its frontal counterpart. The David Collection doors are dated to the seventeenth century and include khatamkari or khatambandi decoration, which consists of multiple varieties of woods, ivory, bone, and metal worked together in a micromosaic design (Bloom 2006, p.111, no.41).

The present set of doors is decorated with multiple ivory panels each beautifully carved either with calligraphic inscriptions on scrolling vegetal grounds, geometric designs, or with various floral motifs, including stylised floral stems and palmettes. The high degree of refinement on each of these panels demonstrates the skill mastered by the woodworkers and suggests that these doors may have been commissioned as part of the refurbishment of an historic monument.

The three-panel door style was found in Persia from the thirteenth century, and feature on various important monuments such as the Gūr-e Amīr, Timur's tomb, in Samarqand, dated 808 AH/ 1405 AD (Pope and Ackerman, vol. II, 1938-9, pp.1152-55).

This lot is accompanied by a radiocarbon dating measurement report confirming the date of the carved ivory panels as 17th/18th century.