One side of a double door made of several types of wood, inlaid with brass, various types of bone, and wood
Both the front and the back are covered with closely related geometric patterns. The wooden sections on the front contain fine inlays using the khatamkari technique, which was probably developed in the 15th-16th century in the form shown here, and was often used to embellish Shiite shrines in Iran and Iraq.
Very little has been preserved that dates to earlier than the 19th century, when the technique enjoyed a renaissance. The perfection of the geometric patterns, which range here from very small to large, has traditionally been a metaphor of the infinity of God.
Very little has been preserved that dates to earlier than the 19th century, when the technique enjoyed a renaissance. The perfection of the geometric patterns, which range here from very small to large, has traditionally been a metaphor of the infinity of God.