Philanthropist, Environmentalist, Collector: Doris Duke and Her Estates

Isfahan

Arriving from Persepolis, the travelers stayed in Isfahan from March 23rd until the 29th. Among the numerous sites to visit, the group saw Chihul Situn (pictured above), a famous garden pavilion which inspired the design of the playhouse at Duke’s home, and Masjid-i-Shah, a 17th century Shah mosque built under Shah Abbas. The intricate tile patterns at Masjid-i-Shah likely inspired several of the mosaic panels that were to be installed at Shangri La.

The first set of tiles ordered and custom made in Isfahan were to be installed as two panels on either side of the entrance to the Playhouse. The account that Doris had with A. Rabenou (dated 5/27/40) shows that over 250 cases of tiles were purchased in Isfahan. Parts of the second set of tiles ("Julfa") were custom made and others removed from a house in Isfahan and shipped to Shangri La to be installed inside the Playhouse.

Isfahan or Esfahan, historically also rendered in English as Ispahan or Hispahan, is Iran's second largest city. Isfahan is well known for its fine carpets, textiles, steel and handicrafts, which is why Doris Duke likely included it on the trip. For more information, click here.

Doris Duke in Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Doris Duke in Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Chihil Sutun, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

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Chihil Sutun, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Chihil Sutun, a garden pavilion built by Shah Abbas II in the mid-1600s, was the inspiration for the “Playhouse” at Shangri La.

Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

The Mihrab (Sheik Luft Allah)

Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

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Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, Iran, 1938

Sanctuary southside of Dome Chamber, early 17th century.

Doris Duke Cromwell In Account with A. Rabenou, 1940

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Doris Duke Cromwell In Account with A. Rabenou, 1940

In the middle of the page is the "Tile invoice". Tiles were ordered and custom made and shipped out over a year later.

Playhouse, circa 1939

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Playhouse, circa 1939

The Playhouse as it looked prior to the tile panels being installed.

Playhouse, 1999

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Playhouse, 1999

Note the blue tile panels on either side of the Playhouse.

Tile Panel

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Tile Panel

Close up of glazed stonepaste tile panel.

Doris Duke Cromwell In Account with A. Rabenou, 1940

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Doris Duke Cromwell In Account with A. Rabenou, 1940

Note the Julfa tile at the top of the page.

Tile in Playhouse, circa 1941

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Tile in Playhouse, circa 1941

Tile panel after it was installed.

19th Century Tile Panel

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19th Century Tile Panel

Close up of underglaze-painted stonepaste tiles.

Playhouse Living Room, circa 1939

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Playhouse Living Room, 1999

The tile panel as it currently looks at Shangri La.

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