Number SOLD
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style All Over
Origin Kerman
Size 204 x 123
Age 1307 (1889)
Immaculate garden masterpiece designed, signed and woven by the illustrious Grand Master Ostad Hossein Kermani, court weaver to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. He was responsible for a series of spectacular and elaborate flowery carpets woven across a 30 year period for the Shah's palaces, specifically during the renovation of the Golestan Palace in Tehran, from the 1860s to the 1880s.
This intricate artwork is a perfect example of his third phase when his career as the preeminent Qajar artist was firmly established. It reflects his more mature and refined style in his later years. The knot count and materials are correspondingly finer.
This remarkable piece is dated 1301 or 1307 Hijri (1883 or 1889) and is an example of his later style characterized by finer knotting, softer tones and a more detailed patterning. Only two others of this style are known, both from the 1880s also. One is an exact copy dated 1306 (1888) in a private French collection, commissioned by the Shah’s cousin Prince Farman Farma. The other has an equally royal provenance and belongs to the Qajar dynasty collection, currently in the Carpet Museum of Iran in Tehran; it is dated 1885.
“You don’t just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... It’s an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!” Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
J’ai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la préparation de l’exposition « L’Empire des roses, chefs-d’œuvre de l’art persan du 19ème siècle » qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et à laquelle il a participé par le prêt de tapis exceptionnels. J’avais alors été impressionnée par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marqué le début d’une collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes s’enrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains n’ont pas leur équivalent dans les musées occidentaux. Ce que j’apprécie chez Hadi ? C’est son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et l’engouement qu’il a pour son métier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France 🇫🇷
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 🇰🇼