Number Sold
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Qashqai
Type Tribal
Size 55 x 45
Age 1880
A unique work of ethnographic art, this tiny carpet punches far above its weight. As a general rule, nomads were illiterate and we barely find any writing on tribal rugs beyond the scarce signature here or a date there. Suddenly this appears and it is quite a welcome conundrum.
I spent long weeks at it until I cracked the puzzle. In short the carpet is a lengthy prayer chant, dedicated to the 12 Imams of the Shia. Their names are listed in angular script. The carpet most likely was made as a pious donation to a holy shrine in Fars province and the rug was based off a drawing made by a professional artist/calligrapher then copied by a Qashqai lady weaver.
The artwork has been published twice in the past:
- Woven Gardens: Nomad and Village Rugs of the Far Province of Southern Persia, David Black & Clive Loveless (eds)
- The Lost Language, Value & Symbolism in Oriental Rugs, John M Douglass & Sue N. Peters, vol.2, pl.80
I must say this one of the most enriching carpet purchase experiences I ever had. This was not a mere transaction but more an experience about art and history. Dr Maktabi's experience and knowledge in this space is second to none. Highly recommended! R.A., Doha, Qatar
Hadi Maktabi and his staff provide comprehensive and thoughtful services to collectors and textile buyers worldwide. His knowledge of antique oriental rugs and textiles, including many fine offerings from the Levant, is unsurpassed. We have been loyal customers for over five years and have visited his Beirut premises. He has worked with us upon several occasions to select the exact Ottoman and Levantine pieces we wanted for our collection. You can be sure of quality and honesty when dealing with Hadi. Penelope and Timothy Hays, Just In From The East Collection, Florida πΊπΈ
Jβai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la prΓ©paration de lβexposition Β« LβEmpire des roses, chefs-dβΕuvre de lβart persan du 19Γ¨me siΓ¨cle Β» qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et Γ laquelle il a participΓ© par le prΓͺt de tapis exceptionnels. Jβavais alors Γ©tΓ© impressionnΓ©e par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marquΓ© le dΓ©but dβune collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musΓ©e du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes sβenrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains nβont pas leur Γ©quivalent dans les musΓ©es occidentaux. Ce que jβapprΓ©cie chez Hadi ? Cβest son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et lβengouement quβil a pour son mΓ©tier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France π«π·