Number 1803
Type Workshop
Material Silk
Style Geometric
Origin Tabriz
Size 321 x 237
Age 1815
Signed FABRIK RIZA 1815 .. this coup de grace is a 200+ year old PURE SILK GARDEN CARPET that’s as old as the Battle of Waterloo. The Chaharbagh Garden theme is beautifully rendered in the inimitable Safavid style, with elegant inscriptions around the border.
Back when it was made, half the world away Napoleon was still the dominant figure in Europe and the Duke of Wellington was about to experience his greatest achievement. Back then both the Ottoman Empire and the nascent USA were slave owning states, Farsi was the official language of the British Raj in India, and Japan was still 40 years away from opening up to the world.
It was last seen/sold in Chicago in 1925 .. when it was already 110 years old. And now it’s mine and is waiting for a museum or private collection to take it home for the next century.
It has seen so many empires rise and fall, witnessed some of humanity’s greatest successes and most horrifying cruelties. It’s seen men master electromagnetism and defy gravity and travel to space. Yet as AI has become an everyday thing in our society, we still believe in the magic of a flying carpet. Well how about a silk one that’s still rocking it in its third century of life?
The Nastaliq poetry around the calligraphic border reads:
خوش آمدید و من از آمدن شما خوشحال شدم
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩.
Acquiring a piece from my dear friend Hadi is truly a journey. We start that journey with a lesson and detailed background on any piece that is of interest. After a thorough discussion regarding the chosen piece or should I say marvel, since Hadi's pieces are truly marvels, Hadi guides us into why he would advise us to acquire it or go for another of his marvels that would suit us more than the one initially chosen. This sincere advice always makes us feel that we are generously taken care of by Hadi. The learning process and honesty in guidance make us go back only to Hadi whenever we are looking for our next beautiful piece for our homes. All I can say is thank you Hadi for your impeccable guidance and service. Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Kuwait 🇰🇼
J’ai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la préparation de l’exposition « L’Empire des roses, chefs-d’œuvre de l’art persan du 19ème siècle » qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et à laquelle il a participé par le prêt de tapis exceptionnels. J’avais alors été impressionnée par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marqué le début d’une collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes s’enrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains n’ont pas leur équivalent dans les musées occidentaux. Ce que j’apprécie chez Hadi ? C’est son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et l’engouement qu’il a pour son métier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France 🇫🇷
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 🇺🇸
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