From today opens a marvellous exhibition, ‘Weavers, Merchants and Kings: Cadrys 70th Anniversary,’ at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, New South Wales, celebrating the 70th anniversary of Cadrys, the first Persian-owned carpet business in Sydney.
Sydney’s first Persian-owned carpet business was founded in 1952 by immigrant Jacques Cadry (1910–2003), who had been born into a Jewish family in the trade.
For 70 years, Cadrys Rugs has been at the forefront of introducing Australian designers and artists, including Florence Broadhurst, to the unique craftsmanship of Persian rugs.
Prof. Pedram Khosronejad, who is the curator of Persian arts, says this will provide a rare glimpse into Indo-Persian history. He says:
“Loaned by Cadrys, it is one of only a handful of examples known to feature an architectural scene as the central design and provides a rare glimpse into a period of Indo-Persian history during the late 19th Century.”
The highlight of the exhibition for the visitors would be an antique Persian Dorokhsh carpet believed to have been created for a royal palace.
Prof. Khosronejad adds:
“Persian Dorokhsh carpets revived ancient textile-making traditions in Khorassan, a region renowned for woven art, and transformed the nomadic craft of carpet-weaving into a specialised artisan industry.”
Exceptional Persian artefacts from the Cadry family’s expansive collection and a selection of objects they have donated to the Powerhouse will also be displayed in the exhibition.
This will allow a whole new generation of enthusiastic and curious audiences to experience stories and folk traditions through eye-catching textile and craft pieces.
Exhibition highlights include four tempera illustrations by Paul Ratzer and an Asfar carpet previously owned by Ratzer and acquired by Jacques Cadry in 1983.
The exhibition (8 September 2022 – 29 January 2023) recognises the Cadry family’s decades of generosity as Powerhouse donors.
It will be complemented by documentary film screenings in the Kings Cinema and a scholarly panel at Powerhouse Ultimo on 15 October 2022 discussing the cultural significance of the objects on display.
