Number 1803
Type Workshop
Material Silk
Style Geometric
Origin Tabriz
Size 321 x 237
Age 1815
Signed FABRIK RIZA 1815 .. this coup de grace is a 200+ year old PURE SILK GARDEN CARPET that’s as old as the Battle of Waterloo. The Chaharbagh Garden theme is beautifully rendered in the inimitable Safavid style, with elegant inscriptions around the border.
Back when it was made, half the world away Napoleon was still the dominant figure in Europe and the Duke of Wellington was about to experience his greatest achievement. Back then both the Ottoman Empire and the nascent USA were slave owning states, Farsi was the official language of the British Raj in India, and Japan was still 40 years away from opening up to the world.
It was last seen/sold in Chicago in 1925 .. when it was already 110 years old. And now it’s mine and is waiting for a museum or private collection to take it home for the next century.
It has seen so many empires rise and fall, witnessed some of humanity’s greatest successes and most horrifying cruelties. It’s seen men master electromagnetism and defy gravity and travel to space. Yet as AI has become an everyday thing in our society, we still believe in the magic of a flying carpet. Well how about a silk one that’s still rocking it in its third century of life?
The Nastaliq poetry around the calligraphic border reads:
خوش آمدید و من از آمدن شما خوشحال شدم
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩.
“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 🇸🇦
I have been buying and collecting oriental rugs for over 40 years. As a result I have had direct experiences with many dealers and galleries throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The Hadi Maktabi establishment is distinct and unique. It is rare to find a dealer who not only has a discerning taste and excellent choice of rugs. But with Hadi, the experience is one of an erudite oriental rug scholar paired with years of family experiences and traditions dealing in rugs, carpets and textiles. The available choices, diversity and quality of his stock is awesome. It is always a pleasure. Highly recommended and satisfying. As a collector he has become not only a partner of choice, knowledge and information but also a valued friend. Robert Bell, CEO Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, U.K. 🇬🇧
Acquiring a piece from my dear friend Hadi is truly a journey. We start that journey with a lesson and detailed background on any piece that is of interest. After a thorough discussion regarding the chosen piece or should I say marvel, since Hadi's pieces are truly marvels, Hadi guides us into why he would advise us to acquire it or go for another of his marvels that would suit us more than the one initially chosen. This sincere advice always makes us feel that we are generously taken care of by Hadi. The learning process and honesty in guidance make us go back only to Hadi whenever we are looking for our next beautiful piece for our homes. All I can say is thank you Hadi for your impeccable guidance and service. Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Kuwait 🇰🇼
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