Khashm Al-Bab

Khashm Al-Bab, or center panel (literally translates as nose of the door), is a central wooden column positioned at the center of a double-leaf (double-sided) door, securing each leaf within its frame. The term in Arabic derives from the aesthetic symbolism of a long, prominent nose in the local cultural heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It consists of a decorative carved wooden strip running along the front of the door, featuring motifs crafted by artisans in Al-Ahsa Governorate, with forms known as 'Khashm Bojoro, Khashm Maskati, Khashm Bukhawazrin, and Khashm Mudarraj.'

Function of Khashm Al-Bab

The main function of Khashm Al-Bab is to secure the door leaf within its frame, usually positioned on the left side of the entrance. Its secondary role is to cover the visible joint between the two leaves. At its top lies Al-’Imamah (crown), which connects to the frame and is wider than the khashm, enhancing the aesthetic aspect. Al-’Imamah also features carvings with names such as Khayzranah and Khafs, produced using a tool called Al-Qitan. The width of the khashm varies depending on door size, from about six cm in small doors to ten cm in medium ones. Carpenters call its thickness 'Jabr Al-Mal' and its width ‘Ard Al-Mal.'

Importance of Khashm Al-Bab

Khashm Al-Bab held particular importance for local carpenters and artisans, who gave it special attention compared to other door parts, as it was the first visible element dedicated to wooden decorations and carvings. All decorative pieces documented in the traditional architecture of the eastern part of Saudi Arabia were concentrated within the vertical space of Khashm Al-Bab. Its significance was rivaled only by the plaster molds known as 'Shakhakhil,' which also carried most of the ornamental patterns. The facades of traditional buildings played a cultural and aesthetic role, reflecting refined taste and the level of craftsmanship among carpenters. Through them, artisans demonstrated their skill in wood and plaster carving, highlighting local environmental elements with geometric and plant-inspired motifs that represented palm trees, Al-Murash, and others. The shapes and names of Khashm Al-Bab usually vary, as no two are ever identical, even if they follow the same decorative unit. This uniqueness reflects the qualities of handmade craftsmanship, which preserves the artisan’s personal touch and style.

Types of Khashm Al-Bab

Several types fall under Khashm Al-Bab, including:

Khashm Bojoro: Its name is derived from the gourd fruits commonly cultivated in the rural areas of Al-Ahsa, and one of them is called Joro. The carving is elongated and swollen at the bottom, and the shape is repeated many times until the end of Khashm Al-Bab. Its shape is usually irregular, and it is decorated with ornamental units and longitudinal lines.

Khashm Mudarraj: Its carving is in the method of engraving the edges of the geometric spaces that form it, and on all its surface, it relies on two geometric shapes, the rectangle and the rhombus, repeated one after the other. They are inlaid in their middle with different decorations and fillings, including the star and the Baythana. This type ranges in width between sixteen cm in exterior doors and seven cm in interior doors, and it is more widespread in the Gulf region than the other types.

Khashm Maskati: It is one of the patterns that were widely used in decorating doors. Some carpenters call it Mastiki. Its decoration relies on two units, 'Lu'bah' (game) and 'Al-Hilah,' which are circular carvings engraved inside with seeds resembling cardamom with pointed ends.

Khashm Bukhawazrin: In the local pronunciation, Khawazrin is the plural of Khayzranah, and the Khayzranah was employed in the carvings of Khashm Al-Bab through straight lines and other wavy ones with a pointed surface. They intertwine in the frames and Al-'Imamah or in filling some spaces. Circular fillings separate between all the lines, and the tool Al-Qitan or Al-Munqar is used in carving them.