Number HA576
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Kerman
Size 251 x 146
Age 1875
One of the most incredible antique rugs we have ever had the privilege of owning. This lavish Kerman pardeh is a unique pictorial composition. Technically and aesthetically it belongs to the ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ of ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ข and his pupil and successor ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ. The quality of wool, of weave, and of the succulent natural dyes all testify to that. The figural imagery gives us a narrow window to date it with reasonable precision.
The upper half contains a shell-shaped roundel (recalling Botticell's ๐๐ช๐ณ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ด) that depicts Adam and Eve and the Forbidden Apple that caused their fall. The devilish serpent twists and coils around the Tree of Knowledge behind them, in a bubble of fantastical flowery foliage. Zoomed out, in the lower half of the carpet, we see two archangels that are most beautifully and brilliantly represented. Their wings, costumes and expressions are (excuse the pun) simply divine.
Note the total and absolute lack of symmetry in the field. Despite the density of the attractive flowery forms, the trees and birds grow and pose in unique individual ways. The range of colors is most pleasant too. The border is a tour de force of technique and dexterity as well.
Museum quality. Simply unique and a testament to the timeless skill of Kerman's artists.
Jโai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la prรฉparation de lโexposition ยซ LโEmpire des roses, chefs-dโลuvre de lโart persan du 19รจme siรจcle ยป qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et ร laquelle il a participรฉ par le prรชt de tapis exceptionnels. Jโavais alors รฉtรฉ impressionnรฉe par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marquรฉ le dรฉbut dโune collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musรฉe du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes sโenrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains nโont pas leur รฉquivalent dans les musรฉes occidentaux. Ce que jโapprรฉcie chez Hadi ? Cโest son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et lโengouement quโil a pour son mรฉtier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France ๐ซ๐ท
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 ๐บ๐ธ
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