Photo shown is a pair of impressive antique Chinese compound gates with elaborate hand-forged iron decoration from the late Ming period, approximately 400 years old or so. The age is as remarkable as its beautiful work since iron is a material that easily rusts and does not last as long in the environment compared to some other metals. One can see the incredible texture and thickness of this hand-beaten iron work which differs from the reproduced or more modern pieces which uses quickly rusted thin iron sheets and cut to the shapes of the objects desired. The kind of hand-forged iron work on this pair of gates is very time-consuming and sure it had taken a long process to produce one piece of work like this. This hand work of iron fitting is among list of disappearing Chinese arts.

It was said that this kind of skill of working in iron was passed down visually rather than verbally because of the type of concentration needed working in a highly heated environment for a long time. The master concentrated in doing the actual work while the pupil stood behind watching and handing the tools.

The motifs on the ironwork here include: the coin design (the wealth, the prosperity), “Shou” character (longevity) in an early styling, bat (blessing, good luck, and longevity), and other twined leafy and floral patterns similar to other early period of Chinese arts. Some of them are worn. A new lacquer coat was applied onto the iron work to prevent the iron from rusting more.

At the back of this pair of doors with very thick depth, comes the attached compartment of wood and metal for locking the doors. The compound doors/gates were often used as the entrance of enclosed walls that protected and concealed a whole architectural living structure with court yard space inside the outer walls and sometimes in between the actual dwelling or dwellings. This pair would have been used as a side entrance of a special dwelling because of its size.

Dimensions for each gate approximately: 29 1/2" W x 95" H x 7 5/8" D

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