Number Sold
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Qashqai
Type Tribal
Size 55 x 45
Age 1880
A unique work of ethnographic art, this tiny carpet punches far above its weight. As a general rule, nomads were illiterate and we barely find any writing on tribal rugs beyond the scarce signature here or a date there. Suddenly this appears and it is quite a welcome conundrum.
I spent long weeks at it until I cracked the puzzle. In short the carpet is a lengthy prayer chant, dedicated to the 12 Imams of the Shia. Their names are listed in angular script. The carpet most likely was made as a pious donation to a holy shrine in Fars province and the rug was based off a drawing made by a professional artist/calligrapher then copied by a Qashqai lady weaver.
The artwork has been published twice in the past:
- Woven Gardens: Nomad and Village Rugs of the Far Province of Southern Persia, David Black & Clive Loveless (eds)
- The Lost Language, Value & Symbolism in Oriental Rugs, John M Douglass & Sue N. Peters, vol.2, pl.80
Jβai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la prΓ©paration de lβexposition Β« LβEmpire des roses, chefs-dβΕuvre de lβart persan du 19Γ¨me siΓ¨cle Β» qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et Γ laquelle il a participΓ© par le prΓͺt de tapis exceptionnels. Jβavais alors Γ©tΓ© impressionnΓ©e par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marquΓ© le dΓ©but dβune collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musΓ©e du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes sβenrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains nβont pas leur Γ©quivalent dans les musΓ©es occidentaux. Ce que jβapprΓ©cie chez Hadi ? Cβest son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et lβengouement quβil a pour son mΓ©tier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France π«π·
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. π¬π§
Purchasing carpets from Hadi Maktabi was the epitome of professionalism and joy. Hadi is an expert curator, purveyor, historian and story teller. His passion, knowledge, professionalism and expertise are evident every step of the way. With a wide range of choices and prices, prompt service, and fast sipping, we had our carpets in Sydney in a matter of days. The ultimate flying carpet experience! Zeina Tebbutt, Sidney, Australia π¦πΊ