Iron Plaque

This panel, together with its matching equivalent MW.130.1999, is a rare example of surviving architectural elements of Baghdad, a city from which almost nothing survived after the Mongol Invasion in 656 AH/1258 CE.
Attached to doors and gates, these rectangular iron plaques embellished and at the same time reflected the function of the building. This openwork plaque contains an inscription against a background of vegetal scrolls: ‘This is one of the gates of Dar al-Salam [Baghdada] and the place where men dismount’. Through its perforation, this panel casts a delicate shadow when exposed to light.

These two panels are unique and of great importance as they represent very early examples of plaques from Ilkhanid Baghdad.