Number 1948-1949
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Tehran
Size 213 x 135 & 208 x 137
Age 1880
The most distinctive of all Qajar carpets are those woven in the palace workshops of Tehran in the famous Millefleurs or ๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ช style. Derived from 17th century Mughal Indian masterpieces woven at the court of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, they gained popularity at the court of Nassereddine Shah Qajar in the 1800s. Their rich directional designs are full of breathtaking floral forms, a thousand and one blossoms coming together to give the pattern its name. The common elements across all Millefleurs carpets are the symbolic ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ณ๐ข๐ฃ prayer niche and the ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ vase. Further aesthetic power is yielded by the use of attractive green dyes, a feature rarely seen on other 19th century carpets.
Here, we see all the above. Except doubled.
Here, we have twin Millefleurs rugs. Beauty raised to a higher power.
The idea of purchasing valuable rugs and other artwork online from an overseas seller is daunting for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that, not being able to examine and feel the rug for yourself, you are never entirely certain that the origin, age or condition of the rug corresponds with the dealerโs description. For me, I could never take this step unless I had absolute trust in the integrity of the dealer, and my recent experience with Hadi confirms that my faith in him was well placed. Every detail of the antique rug expertly explained by Hadi was accurate and when I finally received the actual rug, it turned out to be even more stunning than his photos depicted. F. Alsagoff, Singapore
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