Lot 181: A PAIR OF PERSIAN CALLIGRAPHIC COPPER ALLOY DOOR KNOCKERS, LATE SAFAVID - EARLY QAJAR, 18TH - 19TH CENTURY

A PAIR OF PERSIAN CALLIGRAPHIC COPPER ALLOY DOOR KNOCKERS, LATE SAFAVID – EARLY QAJAR, 18TH – 19TH CENTURY

A pair of copper alloy door knockers or pulls from Persia, dating to the Safavid or Qajar period. Each piece is constructed from a large circular plate featuring a serrated saw-tooth edge and an ornate openwork crest in the shape of a palmette. The front surfaces are densely decorated with chased and engraved ornamentation, including scrolling foliate arabesques and multiple concentric bands of Arabic calligraphy. The calligraphic script includes the Bismillah (Bi-smi llahi r-rahmani r-rahim) within the upper crest and repeating rhythmic invocations and names of God within the circular bands. One plate is fitted with a heavy forged iron ring pull featuring stylised dragon-head terminals. The other plate is fitted with a faceted iron handle decorated with geometric cross and dot patterns.

L: 36cm