Number D0043
Type Caucasian
Origin Shahsavan
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Size 181 x 127
Age 1336 (1918)
There's a lot going. And it's all fun.
The field in essence has a ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐ ๐๐ช๐ก๐ฉ๐๐ฃ theme with its staggered rows of flowering vases. This was a royal Qajar style that quickly became a marker of class and elegance. However, and most unusually, we see clearly defined figural representations all around.
In the middle there is a young bride escorted by two gentlemen whom we assume to be her brothers, given they are equally young and similar in dress and facial features. The conclusion is that this is a dowry rug, commissioned for the happy occasion of her wedding. Alongside this grouping of three figures are two pairs of lions ๐ฆ , four in total, placed there for protection. The use of a Lion by nomadic weavers was never by chance because it remains one their most symbolic motifs. Above and below the lions, we see 4 ladies in waiting. Their dress code and general comportment, with raised hands, suggest they are of a lower social standing than the relatively princelier bride in the middle.
At the top we have an inscription saying ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐๐ฎ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฎ๐๐ 333: commissioned by the Sayyed 333. The title indicates a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, a holy bloodline held in very high regard by tribes folk. His first name is not indicated but numerologically is equivalent to 333. He must be most likely the father of the bride, the Steve Martin of southern Persia. We also see a date, 1333 Hijri, right at the end of the First World War.
All in all, a unique work of Islamic Art and ethnographic folk art. This should be in a museum.
Perfectly preserved. End kilim with lovingly tasseled and braided fringes.
I have been buying and collecting oriental rugs for over 40 years. As a result I have had direct experiences with many dealers and galleries throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The Hadi Maktabi establishment is distinct and unique. It is rare to find a dealer who not only has a discerning taste and excellent choice of rugs. But with Hadi, the experience is one of an erudite oriental rug scholar paired with years of family experiences and traditions dealing in rugs, carpets and textiles. The available choices, diversity and quality of his stock is awesome. It is always a pleasure. Highly recommended and satisfying. As a collector he has become not only a partner of choice, knowledge and information but also a valued friend. Robert Bell, CEO Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, U.K. ๐ฌ๐ง
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
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
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