Philanthropist, Environmentalist, Collector: Doris Duke and Her Estates
Damascus
Arriving from Lydda on March 16, 1938, the travelers stayed in Damascus for 2 days. The group traveled back through Damascus towards the end of their trip as well on April 15 and 16. Two of the more visually stunning pieces Doris purchased from Asfar & Sarkis, vendors in Damascus, were the brocade and the 19th century bureaus which Doris located in her private bedroom. Doris can be seen purchasing the bureaus in the third image above.
Damascus is the capital of Syria. In addition to being widely known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, it is a major cultural and religious center of the Levant. To learn more about Damascus, click here.
![Damascus, Syria[?], 1938](https://exhibits.library.duke.edu/files/fullsize/6edd751ba7b66e39895d6e11fce4c761.jpg "Damascus, Syria[?], 1938")
Damascus, Syria[?], 1938
Cityscape of what is assumed to be Damascus, Syria. Note the cemetery in middle right of the photograph.
![Damascus, Syria[?], 1938](https://exhibits.library.duke.edu/files/fullsize/351d1ffb9823b95356863cdfd75b082a.jpg "Damascus, Syria[?], 1938")
Damascus, Syria[?], 1938
Doris Duke (far left in hat) perusing what is assumed to be an open marketplace in Damascus.
Damascus, Syria, 1938
Doris Duke purchasing the pearl inlaid bureaus in Damascus.
Telegram, 1938
Telegram from "DorJim" (Doris and James Cromwell) requesting additional funds for their trip.
Brocade, circa 1935
Silk brocade with metallic threads.
Receipt for Brocade, undated
The brocade was purchased through Asfar & Sarkis. Doris spent $345 on approximately 33 yards of "Damascus brocade".
Receipt for Bureaus, undated
The two bureaus were purchased through Asfar & Sarkis. As shown on the receipt, the two "bureaus of pearl inlaid" were to be shipped to Paris.
Bureau, 19th Century
19th century Syrian wood bureau with mother of pearl, ivory, ebony, metal wire and metal hardware.
1941 Inventory of Shangri La
As seen on the page, the "Pearl Inlay Bureaus (2)" purchased in Damascus were located in Mrs. Cromwell's Room.
Bureaus, circa 1940
The pair of bureaus in Doris' bedroom.
Bureau, 1999
The bureaus were eventually moved from Doris' bedroom to the Moroccan room at Shangri La.
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