Antique Tabriz Persian Allover Oversized Soft Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet – Circa 1880 Haji Jalili BB8800 16'6" × 23'5" $320,000

This exceptional late-19th-century Haji Jalili Tabriz rug, dating to circa 1880, exemplifies the celebrated artistry of the Tabriz weaving ateliers during their aesthetic apex. The rug’s composition is immediately distinguished by its rare panel-garden layout—a grid of individually framed vignettes, each containing its own meticulously rendered botanical or avian motif. Within these compartments, one encounters blossoming shrubs, cypress forms, stylized fruited branches, and delicately drawn birds perched amid florid sprays—an intimate anthology of Persian garden symbolism expressed through textile.

The palette is unmistakably Haji Jalili: soft, refined, and intentionally restrained. Warm terracotta, apricot, coral, rose-beige, and buff tones mingle with cool slate and midnight blue outlines, creating a subtly luminous harmony. These hues, softened by age, produce the elegant patina for which the master’s workshop is renowned. The design’s clarity—crisp yet lyrical—speaks to the high knot density and expert hand of Tabriz weavers who translated miniature-like detail into wool with remarkable precision.

Surrounding the panel field is a richly articulated succession of borders, each echoing classical Persian ornament: meandering vinescrolls, palmettes, rosettes, and a profusion of small blossoms arranged with studied rhythm. The interplay between the dense floral ornamentation of the borders and the discrete, jewel-box vignettes of the central field creates a balanced visual narrative—one that moves between intimacy and grandeur.

As a whole, the carpet captures the aesthetic ideals of the late Qajar period, when Tabriz emerged as a hub of artistic revival. Works attributed to Haji Jalili are esteemed for their delicacy, sophistication, and painterly beauty, qualities fully evident here. The rug’s condition, coloration, and complexity reveal a masterwork intended for an elite patron—likely commissioned for a noble residence or a refined interior in the cosmopolitan circles of 19th-century Persia.

This 1880 Haji Jalili Tabriz rug stands as both a decorative treasure and an important historical textile—an enduring testament to the elegance, imagination, and technical mastery that define one of Persia’s most admired weaving traditions.

As part of Doris Leslie Blau’s curated collection, this antique Tabriz rug underscores the gallery’s commitment to offering a wide range of high-quality pieces that cater to diverse tastes and budgets. Whether you’re an avid collector or seeking a statement piece for your home, this Persian Tabriz rug embodies timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship.