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This masterpiece is a historical document.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.
As a carpet collector of 30 years, I have noticed a decline in the amount of truly unique and high quality carpets on the market. I have also noted a decline in the knowledge of merchants, generally. Hadi Maktabi stands against this trend as a both a curator for and an educator of his clients. His offerings are well-researched, museum quality carpets that are both singular and expertly chosen. In dealing with Hadi, I have experienced excellent communication, a high standard of service and extremely pleasant interactions. Warren D., Hong Kong 🇭🇰
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 🇺🇸
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 dealer’s 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
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