Number cc436
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Tabriz
Size 76 x 57
Age 1923
This is an invaluable historical document, portraying as it does Reza Khan during his brief tenure as Minister of War prior to acceding to the throne as Reza Shah Pahlavi.
The inscription states
ุญุถุฑุช ฺูฏุงูู ูุงุฌู ุงูุฑุงู ุณุฑุฏุงุฑ ุงุณุนุฏ
๐๐๐ฏ๐ง๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ, ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐ผ๐จ'๐๐
๐๐๐จ ๐๐ญ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ฎ, ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ค๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ, ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐ผ๐จ'๐๐
(this being his ceremonial title, roughly meaning "Blessed Commander-in-Chief")
The rug has a medal-like layout with the heraldic coat of arms of the Qajar dynasty all round him. Note the distinctively 19th century style ๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ ๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ (lion and sun) emblem. Reza Khan's cap is still that of the Cossack legion he commanded and not yet the royal crown for which he became famous.
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 ๐ฑ๐ป
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 ๐ฐ๐ผ
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