Photo 392/28(965)

Genre: Architectural Photography

PUBLISHED: 'Innermost Asia', vol. 2, fig. 449: 'Old wood-carving at entrance of Ming-bashi's house, Kala-i-Wamar. For wood-carving of window, see pl. LXVIII.' The view shows the carved wood doorway, with the window above held in place by two men. 'I used the opportunity for close examination of Ming-bashi Mir Shikrak's house, a typical Roshan dwelling, situated about half a mile from the fort towards the village of Barzut. A piece of old wood-carving had been brought to me from it, and on inquiry I found that it belonged to a fine double-arched window frame which, owing to intended alterations, had been removed from above the main entrance and put with the lumber. The photograph...shows it as restored to its rightful place, and Pl. LXVIII as temporarily set up at the British Museum. The ornamentation of both window and door, though manifestly Saracenic in its main design, shows also elements of late Hellenistic origin, curiously Byzantine in appearance...' (ii, 886).

Subjects = archaeological expeditions; archaeology; architectural elements; Central Asian architecture; doorways; exploration; private houses; Stein Collection; windows; woodcarving

Location = Kala-i-Wamar; Tajikistan