Haji Jalili

The works of masterworkshop weaver Haji Jalili is recognizable for its fine level of detail and extraordinary use of vibrant color. This magnificent example was produced in Persia, circa 1880. Jalili’s work is part of a long tradition of master weavers that established and maintained the reputation of the Persian Empire, and particularly Tabriz, as a producer of exquisite antique Persian rugs throughout the centuries. This rare and magnificent antique Persian Haji Jajlili Tabriz rug uses a an all-over design and achieves its sense of balance through geometric layers and alternating background shapes in contrasting colors. The design of the rug is achieved through layers of floral designs (Shah Abbas) that range from larger flowers to tiny ones that one must look closely to see at all. This level of detail is a characteristic of Jalili’s work and what marks it as the work of a master artist. Works such as these were made as a display of wealth, power, and sophistication. They are meant to instill a sense of the sublime in both their design and use of color. They not only show the skill of the weavers, but also that of the dye works that produced the vibrant hues. This rug uses both warm and cold colors to produce contrast and to make the various elements of the design stand out. When you look at this Persian antique room size rug, it is easy to see how the master weavers of Persia established their prominent position as producers of some of the most collectible rugs in the world. These carpets are for someone who appreciates the level of master knotting that is apparent in its design and the quality of its production and art wealth of the persian knot.