Pictorial rug, Lahaur, XX c.

With Shiite tradition allowing depiction of living creatures including human beings, the miniatures, just like European paintings, teem with genre scenes and portraits. Its influence on Persian carpet weaving can be found both in urban and regional rugs, comprising single elements or even great historical scenes inspired by the miniatures.

The rug we are presenting here is an outstanding example of weaving craft as well as a unique piece of pictorial art. It is a monumental portrait of King Solomon (Persian ‘Suleiman’) and Queen of Sheba (Persian ‘Belqeis’). Their unusual meeting was mentioned twice in the Bible and has been quite extensively described in the Quran, too.

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