Number 1199
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Kerman
Size 337 x 216
Age 1893
This masterpiece is a historical document. It is one of a pair commissioned by Nassereddine Shah Qajar at the time of the World Columbine Exhibition of 1893, marking 400 years of Christopher Columbus discovering America. He was shot before it was completed and was sold to the Indian ambassador, from whose collection it made its way into the palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad, the world's wealthiest man. We sold the twin to this to the Musee Quai Branly Jacques Chirac.
The pair was woven by the famous Milani workshop in Milan at the behest of Nassereddine Shah Qajar to commemorate Persian-American friendship in the wake of Iran participating in the World Columnian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago. This took place at the quadrennial of Chistopher Columbus discovering the Americas. The carpet depicts the Chicago fairgrounds with a massive tree rising from it, whose fruits and branches are actually the major heads of state in the 19th century world. We see the Shah of Iran, the Sultan of Turkey, the Khedive of Egypt, the Emperor of Japan, Queen Victoria of Britain, various European monarchs, a number of Latin American leaders and the most illustrious presidents of the USA including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
I first met Dr. Maktabi as a lecturer on carpet history and was captivated by his passion for the subject. Only later I knew him as a dealer, though even in our financial transactions, Hadi has been a gentle guide and friend. He has understood my taste and interests and made wonderful suggestions, but never in a pushy way. That is to say I have enjoyed working with him on several levels and wish to continue our excellent relations and dealings far into the future. A. Harvey Pincis, formerly Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah Museum (Kuwait), Latvia 🇱🇻
To me personally there is no surprise, event or frankly anything that gets me more excited than the purchase of a treasured piece of understated artwork such as that of a proper vintage/antique carpet. The sourcing, grading and authentication of these pieces is no small task but is of the highest importance. Through the respected dealer Hadi Maktabi all that is guaranteed, and rest assured the one thing I can guarantee personally as a client is a first class service from the initial selection process till it gets delivered right to your door step. It was an undeniably special experience, with hundreds of carpets to choose from, will definitely be visiting again. Thank you dear Hadi. Habeeb Al Monawer, Kuwait 🇰🇼
“I practically furnished my entire home with carpets from Hadi. The process was not only a joy but it was also a learning experience for me. Hadi was super helpful in identifying the right pieces for my home that would both work with my taste, budget, sizes required and that would be a good investment for my family. Hadi’s collection is second to none, and his knowledge and service is truly the blessing on top.” Amr Banaja, Public Investment Fund, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦