Number cc719
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Kashan
Size 205 x 131
Age 1910
Now this is a revelation.
This probably is the oldest masterpiece from the hand and mind of the legendary Grand Master Mohammad Dabir Al Sanaye of Kashan. His trademark ultra soft Kork Manchester lambswool is at play here, as are the sweet and appealing dye materials. We see here an Omar Khayyam style romantic scene. I have seen 4 other carpets by Dabir with similar depictions, 2 of them having been in my possession 10 years ago. However none of these come close to the present masterpiece.
It is far finer in weave, softer in coloration, and richer overall. It is by far older than the rest. Zoom in (hit me up for closeups please) to admire the elegant detailing on the costumes, the dreaminess of the flowering trees, and the realism of the birds.
Dabir's own commitment to a superior form of excellence while weaving this masterpiece is evidenced by his incorporation of two distinct signatures within. It is to my knowledge the sole carpet he ever created that bears two such signatures of his. The one below is his standard typescript one. The one above, however, is extremely elaborate and artistic. I have never seen such calligraphy on his ลuvres d'art.
There also is a famous couplet of medieval Persian poetry:
ุนู ูุฑูุจ ุงุณุช ูู ุงุฒ ู
ุง ุงุซุฑู ุจุงูู ููุณุช
ุฌุงู
ุจุดูุณุชู ู ู
ู ุฑูุฎุชู ู ุณุงูู ููุณุช
๐๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐จ๐ค๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ช๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ฉ
๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐จ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ก๐ก, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐
This describes the transient nature of the human condition and thus encourages the reader (or viewer) to indulge in a life of satisfaction and joy. Enjoy it while you can.
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
โYou donโt just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... Itโs an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!โ Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
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