Number 96pon
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Origin Tabriz
Style Tree
Size 553 x 341
Age 1870
This museum piece hails from the celebrated school of the legendary Grand Master Hajji Jalili of Marand, in Tabriz. It depicts the famous Chaharbagh Garden layout, a tradition that goes back almost 3000 years. The oldest Garden Carpet we know of is the "Spring of Chosroes" that the initial Arab invaders discovered in the Sassanian palace in Ctesiphon in 636 AD.
Chaharbagh gardens gained further momentum under the Timurids, Safavids and Mughals. Shah Abbas the Great laid out the Chaharbagh Avenue in Isfahan around 1600 and it was then that the Chaharbagh Garden Carpets were produced. Their history is presented in full in my book The Persian Carpet: The Forgotten Years 1722-1872. It is rare to find an example from the 19th century, let alone one from such a master weaver. Words don't do it justice so if interested in acquiring it please email me for photos and videos!
โI practically furnished my entire home with carpets from Hadi. The process was not only a joy but it was also a learning experience for me. Hadi was super helpful in identifying the right pieces for my home that would both work with my taste, budget, sizes required and that would be a good investment for my family. Hadiโs collection is second to none, and his knowledge and service is truly the blessing on top.โ Amr Banaja, Public Investment Fund, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ๐ธ๐ฆ
You can't only be a customer of Hadi Maktabi. While his main purpose is rug dealing, he starts with story telling and ends with history selling. That's what I call high-end art curating and closing it all with an entertaining friendship. George El Hani, CEO Levica, Lebanon ๐ฑ๐ง
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