Number 814
Material Camel Hair
Style Geometric
Origin Gabbeh
Type Tribal
Size 124 x 106
Age 1900
I am so proud to own this rare and honestly highly important gabbeh. It is one of two that tower head and shoulders above all others that I've seen, along with the Mondrian rug on this website.
It is an extremely unique child woven rug. Traditionally tribal societies would bring young girls gradually into the craft of carpet weaving. They would start out carding wool, separating batches of dyed fiber, and slowly learn the skills of knotting. Eventually, when aged 10-12 they would try making their own rug. The resultant carpet would not be anything much to speak of usually and almost always was coarse and clunky. The girl's mother or grandmother would encourage her to do better next time and would place the carpet in a place of high traffic or use. Thus, these pre-teen child weaves seldom survived.
Once in a blue moon, however, the carpet actually survived--and was heartbreakingly awesome 🤩 This is indeed a masterpiece. The field is plain camel hair of the softest vintage with a single lozenge thrown into the bottom left corner. The border is abstract, woven with undyed black sheep wool, and shows the weaver herself along with her pet dog and what intriguingly looks like a dinosaur 🦖
I love you, nameless young artist. You inspire me. That's why I set my WhatsApp chat background to this gabbed when I got it!
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 🇱🇻
I must say this one of the most enriching carpet purchase experiences I ever had. This was not a mere transaction but more an experience about art and history. Dr Maktabi's experience and knowledge in this space is second to none. Highly recommended! R.A., Doha, Qatar
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. 🇬🇧
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