Number B0122
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Baluch
Type Tribal
Size 180 x 100
Age 1870
Fascinating! This important antique tribal rug is a unique variant on one of the oldest and most loved Baluch pictorial themes (that in itself being something extremely rare). The origins lie in folkloric adaptations of medieval Persian poetry, in this case the epic romance of Khosrow and Shirin as recounted in Nizami's ๐๐๐๐ข๐จ๐ diwan of poetry, composed in the 12th century. Khosrow the king is completely out of the picture and instead we have a perfect square of 4 x 4 representations of his Armenian queen, Shirin.
The carpet is complete, with oxidation and slight wear, but without damages. There is an impressive range of blues on show, namely in the skirts and garments of the various queens. It is endlessly intriguing to observe how their hand gestures shift from row to row.
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
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 ๐บ๐ธ
Jโai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la prรฉparation de lโexposition ยซ LโEmpire des roses, chefs-dโลuvre de lโart persan du 19รจme siรจcle ยป qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et ร laquelle il a participรฉ par le prรชt de tapis exceptionnels. Jโavais alors รฉtรฉ impressionnรฉe par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marquรฉ le dรฉbut dโune collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musรฉe du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes sโenrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains nโont pas leur รฉquivalent dans les musรฉes occidentaux. Ce que jโapprรฉcie chez Hadi ? Cโest son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et lโengouement quโil a pour son mรฉtier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France ๐ซ๐ท