Door c. mid 19th century

This wooden door was made by an artist of the Swahili people. Doors such as this one represent both a physical and symbolic threshold between public and private life, but also indicate the social status of the home’s inhabitants. Scholars believe the shape of the door, along with its decorative carvings and metal studs, indicate Indian, Islamic, and African influences from trade routes. It’s not a coincidence that the most elaborate doors were found in the homes of wealthy merchants. This particular door would have likely been found in a place like Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania. The size and material are indicative of the owner’s social standing. As historians, we use documents and records to determine the economic, cultural, and political histories that underpin the creation and function of objects like this door. What stories can it tell us about the people who passed through it?