Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHONThe person who gave us the pithy saying ``When one door closes, another opens'' obviously never saw this door. It really is the door to nowhere, in every sense of the word. The hand-made, intricately-carved door is actually mounted on a wall in a friend's home. It goes nowhere, yet I guess it leads to many things. And this stunning light (below) is another feature of the home. Obviously it sheds light on many matters!
Monday Update: I've just received an email from the owner, who has been one of my closest friends for 25 years. He told me that when he bought it from a warehouse in Ahmdeabad (western India) a decade ago, he was told that it was from Patan (the interior of Gujarat state, with trade links with ancient Arabia). It was estimated at the time that the door was 250 years old. In his words, ``The legend has stuck.''
8 comments:
Very cool. Love the door. Looks ancient. Any idea where it came from or how old it is?
Hi FHB,
Jeez, you were right onto that. I'd barely posted it when I saw your comment.
I think it's a really ancient door, rather than a modern replica. I'm just waiting on an email confirming details, etc.
Watch this space ...
Cheers
David
That door is amazingly cool. Your friend is a lucky man. Thanks for posting the follow up. The lamp is cool too, but some little dude sat for a LONG time and carved that door. Amazing.
one can feel the history just by looking with the eyes..pretty fantastic and an exquisite find...priceless only because of the craftsmanship...
beautiful..
k :)
Hi FHB,
He is a very lucky man, and a very talented man too. No worries about the follow-up, because I was keen to know, too.
Man, the carving in India is absolutely mind-blowing. There's another friend of ourse, here in Melbourne, who has carved antique furniture and it's stunning.
Cheers
David
Hi Karoline,
You are so right. It really was an exquisite find and it looks so great in their home.
I would love to know the history of that great piece of workmanship.
Cheers
David
i love antiques.
what a majestic door!
i don't think i can push/pull it with one hand (like we do to normally). you need to eat a heavy lunch and only then OPEN this DOOR to nowhere!
Hi RK,
Now you;ve got me thinking - I should have tried, just to see how heavy the door is. But as you say, it probably is remarkably heavy, especially in light of how old it is.
I'd also be interested to know what wood it's carved from.
Cheers
David
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