Mil Mehdi Workshop The Story of Rostam, the Ancient Hero 109×161cm (ID7005)

Spread on the floor, the navy blue field simultaneously unfurls the tale of multiple figures and horses. A single combat, a hero in despair, a woman with disheveled hair—a single carpet pictorially recounts the tragedy of the great ancient Persian epic, the "Shahnameh."

"The Tragedy of Rostam and Sohrab" Woven by the Mirmhidi Workshop

This is a masterpiece from the Mirmhidi Workshop, renowned for its narrative pictorial works among Qom silk carpets. It depicts the tragedy of Rostam, the greatest hero of the Persian national epic "Shahnameh," and his son Sohrab, woven using the "simultaneous narrative technique" (a method found in historical paintings of both the West and East) that portrays five scenes simultaneously on a single canvas. Employing several times more colors than a typical Qom silk carpet, the expressions of the figures, the patterns of their costumes, and even the saddles of the horses are meticulously recreated through hand-weaving.

Five Scenes of the Story Contained in One Piece

1. Omen: A scene where a young Rostam and Tahmineh (the beautiful princess who would become Sohrab's mother) witness a Lamassu (a winged bull spirit with a human head). This is depicted as a premonition of conceiving an extraordinarily brave warrior's child.

2. Sohrab's First Battle: The grown son Sohrab engages in single combat with the Persian female warrior Gordafarid. A dramatic moment when he realizes his opponent is a woman the instant her helmet is removed. The scene also weaves in a depiction of his parents watching from afar.

3. Fierce Battle Between Father and Son: In the center of the carpet. The three-day fierce battle between the hero Rostam and his son Sohrab. After fighting without knowing each other's identity, Rostam emerges victorious, only to experience a moment of despair when he realizes that the one he struck down was his own son. The stunned gaze of his mother Tahmineh is also woven into the scene.

4. Separation: The scene where Rostam and Tahmineh part ways after their son's death. This interpretation, not present in the original work, adds the separation of the couple.

5. Mother's Recollection: A scene where Tahmineh, with disheveled hair, recalls her child's life. The carpet concludes the story with the mother's sorrow.

The Detail and Luster Unique to Silk

Because of the fine 100% silk threads, one can discern the expressions of the figures, the embroidery on their costumes, the manes of the horses, and even the metal fittings of the tack. The navy deepens with the angle of light, and the vermillion, gold, and green of the costumes emerge—an expression unique to silk.

How to Integrate into Your Home

At 109 x 161 cm, this size is perfect as a living room center rug, next to a sofa, as the centerpiece of a study, or framed as a wall hanging. Its pictorial, narrative composition makes it enjoyable to place in a location where it can be viewed up close, allowing you to appreciate each of the five scenes.

This is a unique item specially selected by the owner directly from a workshop in Qom. A video allows you to confirm the actual luster and detailed narrative, as well as the distinct weaving of the five scenes. Golestan Persian Carpet Specialty Store.