About this sheet
An original color lithographic plate from Alexandre M. Raymond's monumental 1924 publication L'Art Islamique en Orient – IIe Partie, depicting an elaborate thirteenth-century Seljuk door from Konya, the former capital of the Sultanate of Rum. The work forms part of one of the most important early twentieth-century surveys of Islamic architecture and decorative arts in Anatolia.
Unlike the purely geometric examples illustrated in neighboring plates, this composition presents a richly ornamented ceremonial doorway that combines calligraphy, arabesques, vegetal motifs, and intricate interlaced ornament. The symmetrical double doors are adorned with carved panels containing elegant Arabic inscriptions, framed by scrolling vines and stylized floral decoration. At the center of each leaf appears a geometric cartouche rendered in the characteristic angular tradition associated with Islamic ornamental design.
Konya occupied a unique position as a center of artistic and intellectual life during the Seljuk period. Under Seljuk patronage, craftsmen developed sophisticated woodworking traditions, producing doors, minbars, screens, and architectural fittings that rank among the masterpieces of medieval Islamic art. These works united mathematics, geometry, poetry, and spirituality into harmonious decorative programs intended to reflect divine order.
Alexandre Marcel Raymond devoted decades to recording these monuments at a time when many historic structures remained little known outside the Ottoman world. His painstaking measurements and artistic reconstructions preserve invaluable evidence of architectural details that have since suffered from restoration, alteration, or the passage of time. The present plate is therefore both a decorative object and an important historical document.
The muted palette of soft grays, pale green tones, and warm salmon backgrounds gives the composition remarkable elegance. The refined presentation, combined with the exquisite complexity of the carving, makes this sheet particularly appealing for collectors of Islamic art, architectural drawings, and early twentieth-century design publications.
This is an original antique print from 1924 and not a modern reproduction. It is offered unframed. Any framed images are for display inspiration only.
Condition:
Good antique condition with age-related toning, scattered foxing, and a few light stains confined primarily to the margins. The printed image remains fresh and well-preserved, with strong colors and excellent decorative appeal.
Framing Tips:
Sold unframed. This piece displays exceptionally well in a dark walnut, ebonized, or bronze-finished frame paired with a generous ivory museum mat. The subtle colors and architectural subject make it suitable for both contemporary interiors and collections devoted to Islamic or Middle Eastern art.
