SIGNED HAJJI BABA, NORTH WEST PERSIA, CIRCA 1880

Details

A SILK AND METAL-THREAD TABRIZ CARPET
SIGNED HAJJI BABA, NORTH WEST PERSIA, CIRCA 1880
Even light wear, light surface dirt, localised minor splits, selvages frayed in parts, both ends lacking a row of knots
12ft.3in. x 9ft. (373cm. x 274cm.)

Provenance

Anon sale, Christie’s London, 1 May 2013, lot 50

Engraved

The inscription reads; karkhane Hajji Baba Genje, "the workshop of Hajji Baba of Genje".

Further details

Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import this type of lot into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

It is relatively rare to find signed carpets from the workshop of the renowned weaver Hajji Baba of Genje. According to verbal tradition within the Persian community, Hajji Baba was an accomplished carpet designer in Kirman before settling in Tabriz. He wove a number of carpets in wool and considerably fewer in silk but all were executed with the same delicacy of design and subtlety of palette. There are also a number of carpets woven in Tabriz which have many of his characteristics but lack his signature, which were reputedly named "Tabriz Baba" in the trade. These are finely woven from materials of the highest quality. Another characteristic is a notable red dye more indicative of a lac dye than the lighter tones from the madder root more commonly associated with the carpets of Tabriz.

Two wool carpets signed by the same workshop were sold at Christie's New York, 13 December 2000, lots 100 and 164. The first of these was woven with a near identical design to the present carpet apart from a slight variation in the minor border.

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