Number 1812-13
Type Workshop
Style Prayer Rug
Material Wool & Silk
Origin Kashan
Size 67 x 56 -&- 63 x 58
Age 1920
A truly wondrous pair of antique Kashan rugs with extensive silk highlights and ultra soft Kork baby lambswool. I have never seen any other with such a theme. The rugs are woven with mirror symmetry, meaning the figural scenes face each other.
The Virgin Mary cradles the Infant Jesus in her arms and holds his head against hers. They are both wearing crowns, referring to Jesus the King in Christian liturgy. His gown, their eyes and their lips are executed in shimmering silk.
The scene is indubitably of European Renaissance origin, given the facial features and, above all, the choice of aquamarine blue for the Madonna's robe. This was a standard Renaissance Italian preference and most famously appears in Leonardo da Vinci's πππ§πππ£ ππ πππ ππ€ππ π¨ in the Louvre museum, where the blue was obtained from precious lapis lazuli gemstones.
Intact, perfect condition.
A stunning pair of religious artworks that also extend to show the cultural conversations happening in the early 1900s.
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. π¬π§
βYou donβt just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... Itβs an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!β Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia π¦πΊ
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 π±π»