Number 24425
Type Workshop
Style Flowery
Material Wool & Silk
Origin Tehran
Size 523 x 302
Age 1885
This is one of the most beautiful, exhilarating and ambitious Tehran carpets I have seen. It is one of 3 I have encountered with this sweet ππ€π‘ πππ§ππ£π pattern executed on a finely woven ivory crΓ¨me field. (You can find another, half the size here π π π .πππππππππππ.πππ/ππππππ/π·πΏπΌ.)
This pattern, in its famous and well-known form, developed in Russian Karabagh, across the Araxes River from Persia, under imperial Romanov auspices. (You can find one of the oldest or earliest of this type here: π π π .πππππππππππ.πππ/ππππππ/π»πΆπΈ.) The Karabagh prototypes were woven for the Russian court and aristocracy in St Petersburg and were modeled on Imperial French textiles and weavings (e.g. Aubusson carpets) from the period of Napoleon III. Their royal and sumptuary links caused the Romanov and then the Qajar dynasties to both in turn adopt this design as their own. The Karabagh antecedents were all woven on dark blue or brown backgrounds: the Tehran variants (the 3 being discussed here) stand out for their white fields. Cream toned Tehran rugs are very rare, as are any Persian rugs of the 19th century of any type whatsoever.
The ivory ground here offers a very sweet and tender backdrop to the curling vines and rising ivy, with all geraniums and roses executed in pink, red and white silk highlights. The effect is both sublime and magnificent. It feels truly royal. Please note this carpet was not made for commercial usage but for a Qajar palace or residence. It is extremely rare not only for its colors and design but also for its scale. The gigantic dimensions make the viewer or guest really feel they are within a private, secret garden.
The idea of purchasing valuable rugs and other artwork online from an overseas seller is daunting for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that, not being able to examine and feel the rug for yourself, you are never entirely certain that the origin, age or condition of the rug corresponds with the dealerβs description. For me, I could never take this step unless I had absolute trust in the integrity of the dealer, and my recent experience with Hadi confirms that my faith in him was well placed. Every detail of the antique rug expertly explained by Hadi was accurate and when I finally received the actual rug, it turned out to be even more stunning than his photos depicted. F. Alsagoff, Singapore
You can't only be a customer of Hadi Maktabi. While his main purpose is rug dealing, he starts with story telling and ends with history selling. That's what I call high-end art curating and closing it all with an entertaining friendship. George El Hani, CEO Levica, Lebanon π±π§
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
Email List
Request Offer