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.
To me personally there is no surprise, event or frankly anything that gets me more excited than the purchase of a treasured piece of understated artwork such as that of a proper vintage/antique carpet. The sourcing, grading and authentication of these pieces is no small task but is of the highest importance. Through the respected dealer Hadi Maktabi all that is guaranteed, and rest assured the one thing I can guarantee personally as a client is a first class service from the initial selection process till it gets delivered right to your door step. It was an undeniably special experience, with hundreds of carpets to choose from, will definitely be visiting again. Thank you dear Hadi. Habeeb Al Monawer, Kuwait ๐ฐ๐ผ
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
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