Qajar Style Polychrome Doors From Bikaner - Late 18th Century

These exceptional painted doors from Bikaner, Rajasthan date from the late 18th to early 19th century and are decorated with marigolds, roses and leafy branches arranged around a stylised tree of life design. The deep black ground, warm terracotta flowers, gilt-toned scrollwork and lacquer-like surface show an unmistakable Qajar influence, reflecting the long artistic exchange between Rajasthan, the Mughal courts and the wider Persianate world.

Bikaner was founded in the late 15th century by Rao Bika and later flourished under Raja Rai Singh, whose service at the Mughal court helped bring the city state into a sophisticated network of Rajput, Mughal and Persian artistic exchange. This pair of doors belongs beautifully within that tradition, combining the architectural strength of Rajasthani craftsmanship with a richly painted decorative language that recalls Persian lacquer work and courtly floral ornament.

This door & frame can either be built into a home or be displayed as a dramatic piece of wall mounted art. Their scale, symmetry and richly decorative painted surface make them a remarkable statement piece for an entrance hall, dining room, gallery wall or layered interior scheme where antique Indian architecture is used as art.

• Origin: Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
• Date: Late 18th to early 19th century
• Materials: Teak with hand painted polychrome decoration
• Decoration: Floral tree of life panels with marigolds, roses, foliage and gilt-toned scrollwork on a dark painted ground
• Influence: Strongly influenced by Persian and Qajar lacquer work
• Construction: Pair of hinged architectural doors, each leaf with four recessed painted panels
• Features: Original painted surface, aged patina, metal hardware and rear hangers for wall mounting
• Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear, paint losses, surface distress, craquelure and historic movement consistent with age and architectural use. Restored in our UK workshops.
• Dimensions: Width 95.5 × Depth 5 × Height 182 cm

A rare and highly decorative pair of painted Bikaner doors, combining Rajasthani architectural craftsmanship with Persian-influenced floral ornament and the atmospheric depth of a richly aged antique surface.

References
For context on Bikaner’s courtly artistic traditions and its relationship with Mughal and Persianate culture, see studies of Rajput painting, Bikaner court art and Indo-Persian decorative exchange, including works on Bikaner painting and Rajasthan’s princely ateliers.