Number 99
Type Workshop
Origin Isfahan
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Size 210 x 139
Age 1900
Agha Ahmad Ajami was, after Shoreshi, the foremost carpet artist in Isfahan in the pre-Seirafian period prior to the 1930s. His carpets were so famous and his influence so long-lasting that an entire generation of cotton-warped Isfahan rugs are eponymously called "Ahmadi" after him. However, those actually signed by him are tremendously rare and hard to come by. They remain the real deal naturally. It is fascinating to see how he confidently signed his first name only, a sign of his stature and fame, and added the noble title Agha in front.
His speciality was in pictorial subjects inspired by figures from Persian history and mythology. The dominant color palette was earthy tones (beige, cream, gold) and reds.
This carpet depicts an ancient Persian queen called Pourandokht, the daughter of the last Sassanian Shahanshah in the 7th century. The border depicts roundels of other mythical kings separated by elegant calligraphic cartouches.
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 🇺🇸
“You don’t just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... It’s an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!” Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
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