A Monumental Indian Entrance Door with Zinc Inlaid

This exceptional set of 19th-century Indian doors was made in Jodhpur, India, from Sheesham wood.   The arched door frame is hand-carved with Indo-Saracen motifs, including geometric and floral designs.  The door posts include two arched openings for votive candles.  The wood has all been scrubbed and cleaned of residual paint.    The doors are very large and heavy, comprised of large planks bound together with wooden cross beams and metal spikes, visible on the back.  They are compound; smaller inner doors were opened to allow people to enter and the large outer doors can be opened less frequently, to allow vehicular access, such as wagons. Both sets of doors have elaborate locking mechanisms for maximum security.   The outer doors rest on massive wooden hinge pins, allowing smooth and easy operation despite their great weight.  The doors have a bold abstract design produced by laying iron strips over zinc.    The zinc has patinaed over time and exposure to sun and water.     The...