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Door (right)

early 1400s

Spain, early 15th century

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Medium
gilded and painted wood (pine)
Measurements
Overall: 170.2 x 86.4 cm (67 x 34 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1915.565.2
Public Domain
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Location
110B Late Gothic
Print

Description

Typical of Muslim-inspired ornamentation, these doors reflect a love of geometric decoration stemming from a nonrealistic artistic tradition. They consist of applied wood strips that form eight-point stars, flowers, and geometric interlace designs. Such designs are reflected in the tiles, ceramic vessels, and metalwork of Muslim-occupied Spain. The origin of the doors is not known, but they may have belonged to a palace or domestic residence. In 711 the Moors had invaded and conquered nearly the entire peninsula. During the next 750 years, independent Muslim states were established, and the entire area of Muslim control became known as Al-Andalus. Muslim philosophers and scientists developed knowledge in areas like medicine, optics, algebra, chemistry, and geometry, as seen here.
A narrow, vertically oriented wood door panel features a dense grid of eight-pointed stars and squares. Interlocking lines create a geometric pattern highlighted by muted gold on the raised borders. Inside these shapes, four-lobed floral motifs are recessed into the dark brown wood. A small keyhole sits on the left, while metal pins extend from the right edge. The intricate carving displays repetitive symmetry throughout its tall, upright form.

Door (right)

early 1400s

Spain, early 15th century

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