Number 2021
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style All Over
Origin Farahan
Size 70 x 267
Age 1224 or 1324
This is a remarkable artwork, a wonder that it has survived. The facts that are evident are:
It was woven in Farahan, an example of that very soft and refined weave associated with the highest echelons of Qajar society.
It is uniquely trapezoidal in shape, unlike the familiar format of horse and most animal covers.
It is huge and impressive in scale and proportion, suggesting it was intended as a ceremonial cover for either an elephant or a camel.
There is a wonderful visual dichotomy between the minuscule vase at the base and the dense, overgrown millefleurs ornamentation.
The existence of an elaborate dedication at the top adds further weight to this historical artifact having distinguished royal provenance. The signature cartouche says:
فرمايش حضرت اجل اصغر السلطنه
"Farmayesh hazret-e ajal Asghar Al Saltaneh"
By high order of His Exalted Excellency Asghar Al Saltaneh
If this refers to the famous Qajar politician Mirza Ali Asghar Khan Amin al-Soltan, who served as Sadr A'zam (Prime Minister) under both Nasser al-Din Shah and Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar, then the inscribed date reads 1324 (1906-7).
Otherwise if a different figure was behind this lavish commission then the dating would be 1224 (1809-10) and the owner would have been a noble or prince at the court of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. The archaic nature of this museum worthy artwork supports that. The primary suspect here would be Asef Al Dowleh, Prime Minister to FASQ.
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