Cocktails with a Curator: Mughal Carpets

In this week’s episode of “Cocktails with a Curator,” examine the exceptional Mughal carpets-the only two objects at the Frick made in India-with Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator Xavier F. Salomon. These incredibly luxurious carpets were likely created during the reign of Shah Jahan, one of the greatest Mughal emperors and the builder of the Taj Mahal. Rarely on view, they will be on display at Frick Madison in early 2021. This week’s complementary cocktail is a Chai Martini.
To view these carpets in detail, please visit our website: www.frick.org/...

[@frickcollection]

FEATURED COCKTAIL: Chai Martini (iced chai tea, milk, vodka, ice); the mocktail is iced chai tea with milk on the rocks. For the complete recipes, visit www.frick.org/cocktails-curator.

[@duganonna]

Do not stop! These are a lifeline for so many of us. Thank you

[@dweeb99]

Golly, now I want to find out everything on carpet restoration and Nabuko Kajitani: where and what did she study, how does she approach a delicate restoration, and what does she NOT attempt to restore? Also Stephen Saitas: I've always wondered about exhibition design. I can only assume he's brilliant, because when I visit an exhibition at the Frick, I'm never aware of its design. This entire series only gets better with each episode. Kudos to all! (Though I haven't tried a single one of the cocktails.)

[@pchabanowich]

Astonishing beauty! The luxury of that glorious art in the resplendent materials, never without a release of its grip on the retina, is indeed an Emperor’s ransom. It was no surprise that you, Sir, were involved in displaying them as the great works they truly are, those years ago. From those earlier photos of you, no doubt all of us are astounded how little time has changed your appearance. The cocktail is worthy of concocting - it sounds delicious. Cheers! By the way, the reference to Rembrandt’s drawings of the Indian ruler caught me by the cuff. Rembrandt has been and likely will always be my spiritual mentor of art, and though the exotic turbans do indeed show up in some of his best-known works, I’d not seen nor had knowledge of these drawings done of Indian miniatures. Again, you have, like a great magician, unrolled a serendipitous carpet of knowledge at our feet. Thank you from my heart.

[@hslev]

That image of how the individual pieces of the tree carpet would have fit to together originally in a much larger carpet was the single most fascinating thing I've seen yet in "Cocktails with a Curator," and that's saying a lot!

[@MI-ch3lg]

I look forward to each and every Friday’s episode.

[@lynnexton7912]

Great series! The comments add significantly to appreciation of the objects discussed.

[@barbararaider9919]

The history of carpet weaving is so important to the art world. Thank you!

[@Booka60]

Amazing! Jewels for a Emperor to walk on. Thank You Xavier!

[@rhysennin]

I so enjoyed this program. The carpets have such a long and fascinating history. Thank you.

[@carlalopes7826]

👏

[@marshacarlin]

Also thing during a (rare!) rainy day in NH. Too happy to have discovered this!

[@michaelbaenen2388]

I am so glad that these will be displayed at Frick Madison. It will be quite an experience to see the Frick's holdings in a new environment.

[@kurtk6592]

Another fascinating dive into the Frick collection. I look forward to seeing these in person! Thank you!

[@claudettedelphis6476]

Always fascinating to be invited to your lecture 🌾🍂 Thank you for sharing with us 🍀🌸🌼

[@DipakPatel-wf8yr]

Love.. love all your presentations/videos so far. Not much good as come out of this pandemic but all they weekly presentation has been absolute delight. Thank you to all that has made this possible.

[@melanezoe]

This is one of the more exciting presentations you’ve done. Inspires me to do research on Indian art.

[@miguelvelasco8173]

The Frick is the most unbelievable place

[@gidimeir]

I enjoy these programs very much. Thanks! ...I admit I wouldn't partake in a Chai Martini even at gun point.... though I love the idea of cocktails that go with the art and art-talk, and most others are marvelous :) keep up this wonderful series!

[@johntuffin3262]

Thank you. For me this was one of your best. I hope I can go to the Frick one day.

[@georgep.fletcher8592]

What a fascinating episode! Thanks

[@TheHardlove4u]

Thank you for a view of these rare and beautiful pieces; the background information and delightful descriptions. From Brighton UK. PS. Where we have the extravagant George lV Eastern styled Summer Pavilion.

[@ritabiro5105]

It is a pleasure again to see your works in the Fricks collection.About carpits I myself are also found of indians having got for 5 years ago from my sister schipped from USA and brought home to Budapest . But finding its grey colour and material not always delighted chaned to an italian sligt green with rubin roses and some begde decoration.Of course l rolled the indian one put behinde my bed hoping once having more space and of course more money to moove .Any way I would bee also interested in New Yorks exchibition to visit once in my life as well the new built towers and St Patricks.Because of covid unfortunately everything closed.What about there?!Thanks again hope the best!

[@alexabbottboyd915]

cant wait to see them!

[@susanhoover7925]

Love Persian rugs. I purchased one recently at estate sale . 1920s From seraban iran love it

[@katehobbs2008]

But this is not a Persian carpet

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

Hard to imagine these were once walked upon. (Love the way XS says 'dynasties' in the European way.....!)

[@christinemarsh-rijssenbeek6292]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@Leebearify]

How interesting ! Of course the restorers had to cannibalize the small items to fix the larger ones....why had I not thought of that? I am so glad these are protected for people to enjoy for another 500 years. I truly enjoyed this, what a treasure trove of wonderful items the Frick contains. Thank you so much Dr. Salomon it was fun to join you in a cocktail.

[@patriciateller6313]

Thank you! Fascinating!

[@andreahewitt3051]

Amazing information as usual

[@michaelcollins6134]

Cheers Steven!!

[@huahindan]

Thank you for this

[@ioanachinan2824]

Hello from Auckland, NZ

[@margegeraghty7479]

Hi from Bay Head, NJ

[@jessiecurtis4422]

Rainy afternoon in New Hampshire.

[@susanbethschneider6122]

Hey, Jess!

[@rebeccale6012]

Yes it is! The perfect afternoon to enjoy this video!

[@annishilcock4587]

Just imagine that once these beautiful works of art were objects of everyday use! How mediocre our society has become.

[@ellabiondi1251]

These carpets were useful objects for extroidaryly rich people, like a private jet

[@annishilcock4587]

@@ellabiondi1251 Agreed they were for the wealthy but there is nothing to compare to their artistry today, because those skills are disappearing. French couture is still protecting the craftsmanship of the seamstresses and embroiderers but that pales in comparison to what people could once achieve.

[@realscarystories4659]

*The Frick Collection* Wanna be friend?

[@StephanieCheng]

what a coincidence! I already had a cup of chai just made

[@nancyghertner9353]

These Cocktails with a Curator and Travels with a Curator have been an unexpected highlight of the pandemic for me. Many many thanks to you for providing these joyous and informative talks!!

[@piushalg8175]

Very interesting to hear for instance that the Persians sacked Dehli in 1736. Only to point to the obvious fact that the Europeans were not the only imperialistic forces in the world. Moreover Salomon states correctly that the Mughals and their armies which conquered and ruled India were originally not Indians but foreign invaders and therefore imperialists.

[@markzorko3301]

As always, an excellent talk.

[@meggallucci5300]

I cannot wait to see them.

[@celiasantosmedeiros1283]

Love your lectures! Besides art an amazing view of history and culture!

[@susanhoover7925]

I was just saying I love persian carpets not referring to any one specific!

[@kayleenlewis4229]

Loved that the Frick family used these!

[@Ita1Vaiser]

Delightful! Such beauty