Antique Mohtashem Kashan Mary and Jesus Rug at Essie Carpets, Mayfair London

Fine Rare Persian Mohtashem Kashan Rug – Pictorial

Name: Fine Rare Persian Mohtashem Kashan Rug - Pictorial
SKU: 693
Availability: InStock

Rug #693

Size: 207 x 130 cm / 6.8 x 4.3 ft

Handwoven in: Kashan, Iran

Age: Antique

Design: Pictorial

Materials: Fine Kork Wool (Cashmere)

Category: Rugs & Carpets

POA

Antique Mohtashem Kashan Rug Pictorial Fine Kork Wool (Cashmere)

Pictorial rugs depicting figures are a significant genre of subject matter seen in rugs made during the ‘revival’ of Persian carpet weaving which began in the 1870’s onwards. Images of real or mythological historical figures appeared in rugs predominantly made in the major Persian city centres of rug weaving, namely, though not exclusively include Kerman, Kashan, Tabriz, and Esfahan. Frequent subject matter included Eastern and European rulers and leaders, biblical figures, characters from legend, history, and poetry. The depictions are seen in varying degrees of realism depending on the skill or intentions of the weaver. Persian tribal rugs also began to depict such figures and subject matter generally presented in a much more simplistic and naïve style of representation based on their own ancient traditions of rug pattern drawing.

This fine Persian Kashan pictorial depicts a biblical scene with Hagar holding the infant Ishmael, standing next to Sarah in a plant filled landscape, before a river with fish and a cavorting ibex. This scene is presented below a register showing buildings and with two ministering angels looking on.

The story of Hagar is told in the Bible in the book of Genesis, Chapter 21. As written, Hagar was an Egyptian slave to Abraham with whom she had a son, Ishmael. Abraham’s wife, Sarah became jealous and asked her husband to banish them to the desert. They were sent away with only meagre rations of food and water. However, Hagar and Ishmael were miraculously saved from certain death by an angel. Ishmael was to become the progenitor of the Ishmaelites.

Significantly, in Islamic faith, although not directly named in the Quran, Hajar, (Hagar), is alluded to in relation to the story of her husband the prophet Ibrahim, (Abraham). She is a revered figure, and honoured as matriarch of monotheism. Importantly her son Isma il ,(Ishmael), was the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad.

Antique Mohtashem Kashan Pictorial Rug. This piece was handwoven in Kashan , Iran. For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.

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