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Door
14th–15th centuries, with later additions
Object Place: Cairo, Egypt
Medium/Technique
Wood (ebony, Aleppo pine, abura, boxwood) and ivory or bone
Dimensions
Overall: 258 x 95.2 x 17.8 cm (101 9/16 x 37 1/2 x 7 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Martin Brimmer
Accession Number77.1
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania, Islamic Art
ClassificationsArchitectural elements
DescriptionDoor frame from a minbar combined with other wooden components including a calligraphic panel (bottom) and ivory plaques attached to a modern board (central star pattern panel).
InscriptionsInscriptions on mashrabiyya panels:
(1) inna ’llaha ya'muru bi'l-‘adli wa'l-i?san
God commands justice and beneficence.
(2) inna ’llaha wa-mala'ikatahu yu?alluna ‘ala ’l-nabi
God and his angels pray for the prophet
Inscription at bottom of doorway:
'izz li maulana al-sultan al malik . . . al-Zahir Barquq 'azza 'llahu nasrahu
Honor to our master the Sultan, the King . . . al-Zahir Barquq. God magnify his victory.
(1) inna ’llaha ya'muru bi'l-‘adli wa'l-i?san
God commands justice and beneficence.
(2) inna ’llaha wa-mala'ikatahu yu?alluna ‘ala ’l-nabi
God and his angels pray for the prophet
Inscription at bottom of doorway:
'izz li maulana al-sultan al malik . . . al-Zahir Barquq 'azza 'llahu nasrahu
Honor to our master the Sultan, the King . . . al-Zahir Barquq. God magnify his victory.
Provenance1876, purchased at the Centennial Exposition (Egypt Exhibit), Philadelphia, by Martin Brimmer (b. 1829 - d. 1896), Boston; 1877, gift of Martin Brimmer to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 18, 1877)