Publication Date
19th century
Publication Place
Kerman, Iran -
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Subject
Wool: knot
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
طول: 200 سم عرض: 140 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
FBQ.HH.9253
Record ID
object;EPM;qt;Mus22;25;ar
Library Location
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Date
19th century
Notes
Floral and animal motifs adorn this Iranian rug with a central tree of life motif. The pile originated from Kerman during the Qajar dynasty, and the pile was cut only once the stitching process was complete and the fabric was taken off the loom. People of various faiths and geographic contexts have embraced the tree of life as a symbol of the essence and interconnectedness of all living things. As such, the design becomes a thread that connects people in their shared ideas about the evergreen tree from Bhutan to Germany, the Maya Empire, and the Iroquois people. Qajar images of the tree of life stem from pre-Islamic Zoroastrianism, considered the ancestor of all humans, animals, and plants. In Islam, the tree of life is called Sidra or Tuba and it grows in heaven. The fruits known as, the phoenix, and the eagle are the protectors of the tree according to Persian mythology. A poem by the Sufi poet Saadi places the carpet within its borders. The poetry reflects images of the garden, as one of Saadi's central themes and symbols of Persian cultural continuity.
Sample Text
Sarah Schroeder “Rug” in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;qt;Mus22;25;ar
