Number 293
Type Caucasian
Material Wool
Style Medallion
Origin Karabagh
Size 553 x 198
Age 1880
This palatial Karabagh was woven in Shusha, the district's historic capital which has been destroyed recently in war. Back in the 1800s it was a thriving multicultural city noted for its delectable carpets. This Kelleh has cochineal red, an insect dye that was imported from Mexico and was more expensive than gold. A rainbow of beautiful dyes appear around the edges of the field and the borders. However it is the formidable negative space created by the red ground that allows all the other motifs and colors to shine. Brilliant.
You can't only be a customer of Hadi Maktabi. While his main purpose is rug dealing, he starts with story telling and ends with history selling. That's what I call high-end art curating and closing it all with an entertaining friendship. George El Hani, CEO Levica, Lebanon 🇱🇧
“You don’t just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... It’s an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!” Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
I first met Dr. Maktabi as a lecturer on carpet history and was captivated by his passion for the subject. Only later I knew him as a dealer, though even in our financial transactions, Hadi has been a gentle guide and friend. He has understood my taste and interests and made wonderful suggestions, but never in a pushy way. That is to say I have enjoyed working with him on several levels and wish to continue our excellent relations and dealings far into the future. A. Harvey Pincis, formerly Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah Museum (Kuwait), Latvia 🇱🇻