Details

Object type

door

Title

chaukat

Culture/School

Islamic; Punjabi; Tarkhan

Place Associated

Asia, South Asia, Pakistan, Punjab Province, Sargodha District, Bhera (place of manufacture)

Date

1888

Materials

deodar wood, Cedrus deodara

Dimensions

overall: 3125 mm x 1810 mm x 265 mm; overall (estimated): 247.5 kg

Description

This elaborately carved door frame or chaukat with two recessed doors of deodar wood, originates from Bhera, Shahpur, in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Until the middle of the 20th century Bhera was Punjab's most important wood crafts centre. The door is made up of a number of smaller panels attached around a solid frame. The wood has been stained dark brown with hues of red. The front panels and frames are attached with decorative nails with copper alloy and star shaped collars. The designs consist mainly of Arabesque geometric patterns and floral and foliate motifs. They were first traced in pencil, some traces of which are still visible. They were then carved out by hand with a variety of chisels and cutting tools.

The wood is listed as being Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara). Deodar or Himalayan cedar, brought down from Kashmir via Jhelum River, is the species most commonly used for building in the region. It was not, however imported into Britain and did not grow well in Britain.The frame of the chaukat is made from recycled railway sleepers. The two doors are panels from packing crates. They are marked with the name, ‘James Finlay & Co. Glasgow': James Finlay & Co. was a company based in Glasgow, initially as textile manufacturers. In 1816, they were the largest textile concern in Scotland and the first British merchant to trade directly with India. The door was purchased at the 1888 Glasgow International Exhibition where it was part of the Indian Pavilion. Wood carvers from Bhera were employed by the Kensington School of Art, London. Their travel expenses were paid directly to the artisans and, they were also given monthly salary of 90 rupees. John Lockwood Kipling, first Principal of Mayo School of Arts in Lahore and curator of Lahore Museum was responsible for sending these wood artisans to England. Two carvers from Bhera were sent to th1888 Glasgow Exhibition but it is not known whether they carved the chaukat in Glasgow or if it was brought from Punjab.

See also: John Muir of Deanston

ID Number

1888.109.ke

Location

Kelvingrove Glasgow's Great Exhibitions