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17
ISFAHAN CURTAIN WITH
‘
TREE OF LIFE' MOTIF
ISFAHAN, IRAN, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton, block printed and painted,
natural dyes
17.5 x 26.5 in (45 x 68 cm)
$ 3,035 - 4,550
Rs 2,00,000 - 3,00,000
The central motif in this door
curtain or
pardeh
, is a Cypress
tree framed within a
mihrab
.
Rising from a rocky mound in
the lower register, the tree is
flanked on either side by a tiger
and a peacock. The two vertical
borders, on either side, have
smaller trees with birds in the
upper branches. The body of
the curtain is filled with large red
blossoms scrolling on a vine with
small buds and stylised leaves.
In Iran the Cypress is considered
sacred, and often used in ‘Tree of
Life’ representations. According to
pre-Islamic Zoroastrian traditions
it is recorded that Zoroaster
brought the first sapling of a
Cypress from paradise.
The ‘Tree of Life’ motif is
prevalent across cultures, and
as a universal symbol signifying
wisdom,
protection,
and
prosperity. Cutting across the
three worlds it is often perceived
as the ‘Cosmic Tree,’ connecting
the heavens to the earth and the
underworld. Standing straight
and tall, the trunk is the means
of ascending upwards towards
heaven through the outstretched
branches or downwards where
the roots plunge deep into the
netherworld. Its significance
transcends conscious reality,
retaining a link with our primeval
memory.
16
KILIM WITH PARROTS IN FLIGHT
BIJAR, IRAN, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton warp, wool weft,
natural dyes
45.25 x 74 in (115 x 188 cm)
$ 3,790 - 5,305
Rs 2,50,000 - 3,50,000
Bijar on the edge of Kordestan, in
the north west of Iran, was once a
flourishing weaving centre known
for its elegant carpets and rugs. It
was inhabited largely by Kurds
and Shahsavans, who at one time
were nomadic pastoralists but
have now mostly settled. They
were known to weave
gelims
,
which is the Persian term for
these rugs, though the Turkish
term
kilim
is more popularly
used nowadays.
Kilims
are woven
in the tapestry technique, also
known as flat-weave. Rugs from
Bijar are generally small in size,
very compact and durable.
This engaging indigo coloured
floor covering conveys a sense
of movement. Decorated with
three rows of flowering rosettes,
connected by a thin black branch,
it is surrounded by stylised
parrots in flight. The birds appear
almost as if they are gliding across
the surface of the rug giving the
overall piece a rich texture. The
narrow red border, contrasts with
the blue ground, and has flowers
and leaves on a vine.
Jasleen Dhamija acquired this rug
in Bijar in 1971 from a weaver’s
family, where it hung on the wall
of their house. Extremely rare it is
one of her favourite pieces from
her collection.