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171121
No. 171121 – 210 × 124 cm
Wool on cotton
Details make all the difference between the ordinary and the exceptional, and this rare pictorial rug, woven circa 1930s, is a perfect example. At first glance, it depicts a familiar and beloved narrative from classical literature—the legendary romance of Khosrow and Shirin, the Persian king and Armenian princess whose love story has enchanted audiences for over a millennium.
But look closer, and two subtle yet powerful symbols elevate this rug into the realm of the extraordinary.
First is the inclusion of Reza Shah Pahlavi’s portrait, subtly integrated into the composition. As the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty and ruler of Iran from 1925 to 1941, Reza Shah remains a controversial and complex figure in Iranian history. Seeing his likeness in a rug is exceptionally rare, suggesting the weaver’s allegiance—or perhaps admiration—during a time of sweeping change and national transformation.
The second unique feature is a beautifully reimagined version of the Imperial Coat of Arms. Traditionally depicted with swords symbolising power, here the weaver has replaced the weapons with flowers—an artistic and bold reinterpretation that softens the emblem and perhaps reflects a longing for peace or a commentary on the king’s heavy-handed rule.
We may never learn the identity of the talented woman who wove this piece, but her voice and vision live on in the knots she tied. Through a blend of history, symbolism, and storytelling, this rug becomes not just a textile, but a cultural time capsule—one that continues the ancient tradition of preserving myths, legends, and hidden meanings through the loom.
