The work of master rug weaver Haji Jalili is recognizable for its fine level of detail and extraordinary use of vibrant color. This magnificent example was produced in Persia around 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 area rugs throughout the centuries.
This rare and magnificent antique Persian Haji Jalili Tabriz rug uses a central medallion 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 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 cool colors to produce contrast and to make the various elements of the design stand out.
When you look at this Persian antique room size area 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. This rug is for someone who can appreciate the level of mastery that is apparent in its design and the quality of its production. It would make an excellent addition to any home or office and would be the focal point of any collection as an example of the works of a master artist.
