Persia has always been renowned for its exquisite carpets, and the exhibition at Time and Space will take you wandering down the lanes of Iran known for their diverse weaving and craft arts.
Mohommed Karimi comes from Meshed in Northern Iran. He graduated from M S Ramaiah Medical College in 1997, and during his internship, travelled to the North West Frontier, observing the rich heritage of craft. He decided to stay on in India.
He started an Iranian cuisine restaurant ‘Sufi’ on Airport Road, with an art gallery displaying his collection, and a library with 400 illustrated books on Iran. He also bought walnuts and carved furniture from Kashmir and sold it at his outlet called ‘Little India’ in Iran.
“I have a passion for collecting things, and have travelled to the nooks and corners of Iran, where tribal art is still alive, and you can find some unusual craftsmanship,” he told Metrolife.
Iranian carpets woven in different areas have indigenous names. The Pashmi Shehla from Kherman, displays exotic workmanship in the design and a woollen border with a Glim centre.
The Glim/Kelin weave has a flat surface which when framed by the pile border, looks like a window mounted painting. The Bajar comes from Kurdestian and is made in wool and cotton. This reversible carpet has a flower motif in red on a beige background which merges into a black ground.
The Guldani is a popular motif on the 7’x12’ runners, ideal for corridors, as is the Dashte-moghan. Tabriz is famous for its mixed silk and wool carpets, while the exotic Qum is an all silk extravaganza.
Says Karimi, “Commercial carpet weavers follow a set pattern, these artisans don’t. The weavers decide on the design when they sit at the loom, and so no two designs are the same.”
There are also Meenakari vases and clock frames, gold leaf painted Samovar sets, blown glass lamps in sensuous red, carved stone and copper plates, Shisha Kalam paintings and Khatan picture frames made with camel bone and different coloured wood.
The exhibition is on at Time & Space, Lavelle Road, till June 16.
