500-Year-Old Antique Haveli Temple Door with Frame – Circa 1500s | Gujarat, India

Radiocarbon Dating Verified by University of Glasgow

This extraordinary antique Haveli temple door, accompanied by its original carved frame, is a rare architectural marvel dating back to the early 1500s, making it over 500 years old. The age of this monumental piece has been scientifically verified through Radiocarbon Dating by the University of Glasgow, placing it firmly in the mid-16th to early 17th century, during the grandeur of the Mughal Empire and the rise of Vaishnava temple architecture in Gujarat.

Origin & Cultural Significance:

This temple door originates from a Haveli (palatial residence or temple) in Gujarat, a western Indian state historically renowned for its rich trade links, artistic heritage, and architectural splendor. While typical residential doors in Gujarat date to the 18th–19th centuries, this piece’s extensive weathering, complex craftsmanship, and grand scale clearly mark it as a ceremonial or temple door from the 16th century—crafted during an era of immense religious and architectural development tied to the Bhakti movement and Pushti Marga sect of Vaishnavism founded by Vallabhacharya.

Architectural Style:

The door exemplifies the Gujarati tradition of half-timber architecture, designed to withstand seismic activity. The frame and panels are elaborately hand-carved in a style that draws from Islamic geometric patterns, Hindu lotus motifs, and Buddhist symbolic elements—showcasing a confluence of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic artistry.

The running floral and geometric carvings along the frame are inspired by both local legend and Mughal influence.

Miniature bell-shaped domes on either side of the door echo the lotus dome (kamal gumbad)—a symbol of Vishnu’s chakra and cosmic energy.

Carvings were not merely decorative but structural—deep incisions into the wood allowed for relief while maintaining the strength of the timber.

Construction Features:

The door follows the “Double Tolla” design: a saddle-shaped structural component added at the top and bottom of the frame for extra support—borrowing from Abyssinian stone construction traditions.

Traditional locking mechanisms include chain-and-staple systems, latches, and padlocks—elements that emphasize both security and ceremonial stature.

Originally treated with Bel-Tel, a dark organic resin used to protect wood against the climate while preserving carving detail.

Symbolism and Status:

In 16th-century feudal Gujarat, doors were more than architectural necessities—they were status symbols. Grand entrances like this one advertised wealth, religious devotion, and artistic patronage. The scale and detail of this piece would have marked the home or temple as one of affluence and spiritual prominence.

Historical Context:

Gujarat’s thriving maritime trade with Africa, West Asia, and Europe during the medieval period helped fund such elaborate constructions.

This door was likely part of a Bhakti-era Vaishnavite Haveli Temple, where the deity was envisioned to dwell in a ‘palace’—thus the need for opulent, fortress-like entrances.

The decorative themes found here would later influence block printing techniques in Gujarati textiles, showcasing the evolution from architecture to artisan craft.

Material: Solid hardwood (likely teak or sal wood, known for durability)

Condition: Antique, with visible signs of weathering consistent with 500+ years of age. Structurally sound with original carvings intact.

Provenance: Gujarat, India

Dating Method: Radiocarbon dating conducted by the University of Glasgow

Estimated Date: Circa 1500s (16th Century)

Please contact us for more details.