Number SOLD
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style All Over
Origin Kerman
Size 204 x 123
Age 1307 (1889)
Immaculate garden masterpiece designed, signed and woven by the illustrious Grand Master Ostad Hossein Kermani, court weaver to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. He was responsible for a series of spectacular and elaborate flowery carpets woven across a 30 year period for the Shah's palaces, specifically during the renovation of the Golestan Palace in Tehran, from the 1860s to the 1880s.
This intricate artwork is a perfect example of his third phase when his career as the preeminent Qajar artist was firmly established. It reflects his more mature and refined style in his later years. The knot count and materials are correspondingly finer.
This remarkable piece is dated 1301 or 1307 Hijri (1883 or 1889) and is an example of his later style characterized by finer knotting, softer tones and a more detailed patterning. Only two others of this style are known, both from the 1880s also. One is an exact copy dated 1306 (1888) in a private French collection, commissioned by the Shah’s cousin Prince Farman Farma. The other has an equally royal provenance and belongs to the Qajar dynasty collection, currently in the Carpet Museum of Iran in Tehran; it is dated 1885.
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. 🇬🇧
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
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 🇫🇷