Number 946
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Kashan
Size 53 x 61
Age 1870
Hold on, wait a minute. Double sided? Yep. Truly exceptional and one of a kind. This is an original antique Mohtasham rug, with original purple pink selvedge cords along its edges. It is double sided i.e. woven with knots or a pile on either side. This is an incredibly complex and extremely difficult technique to pull off because it entails having two very skilled weavers sitting either side of the loom and weaving simultaneously. It also requires them to have the same style of weaving in order to pull it off. One side has an elegant medallion on a pink field with blue border. The other has a mihrab niche atop a slender vase on a beige field with an earthy border. Sublime. Museum level, historical really.
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 ๐ฑ๐ป
โYou donโt just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... Itโs an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!โ Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
I have been buying and collecting oriental rugs for over 40 years. As a result I have had direct experiences with many dealers and galleries throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The Hadi Maktabi establishment is distinct and unique. It is rare to find a dealer who not only has a discerning taste and excellent choice of rugs. But with Hadi, the experience is one of an erudite oriental rug scholar paired with years of family experiences and traditions dealing in rugs, carpets and textiles. The available choices, diversity and quality of his stock is awesome. It is always a pleasure. Highly recommended and satisfying. As a collector he has become not only a partner of choice, knowledge and information but also a valued friend. Robert Bell, CEO Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, U.K. ๐ฌ๐ง