Moroccan Moorish Style Doorway Arch

A doorway with no door, no wall, and no apparent need of either.

This Moorish style doorway arch comes from Fez, Morocco, in North Africa, its arch from the 17th century and its pillars from the 20th. It is carved and painted cypress wood. In Moroccan interiors, carved wooden arches and screens traditionally divided space while leaving it open. Stepped lobes frame the opening, set within a square panel of small repeating stars and knots. Foliage climbs the upper pillars before dissolving into fine interlace. The wood reads a deep reddish brown. Ninety-three inches high, 51 long and 10 deep.

It frames whatever stands behind it, and improves most of it.