Number 1155
Type Village
Material Wool
Style Medallion
Origin Malayer
Size 93 x 63
Age 1880
Samplers from Malayer are very rare, even among the very rare group of surviving Vagireh rugs in the world. Vagireh or ornak rugs were samplers, created to teach new weavers (usually daughters) and guide them into the design process so that they would have a template to follow. They were almost always discarded once the young weaver learnt her trade and needed the sampler no longer. Thus they are quite scarce and extremely rare. Collecting them has caused a distinct and separate class of carpet collectors to arise. Many of my regular clients are Vagireh crazy like I am.
5 different border patterns accompany the quartered medallion design, all executed in lush coloring to make you salivate to think what a complete carpet with this style would have looked like!
Purchasing carpets from Hadi Maktabi was the epitome of professionalism and joy. Hadi is an expert curator, purveyor, historian and story teller. His passion, knowledge, professionalism and expertise are evident every step of the way. With a wide range of choices and prices, prompt service, and fast sipping, we had our carpets in Sydney in a matter of days. The ultimate flying carpet experience! Zeina Tebbutt, Sidney, 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 🇱🇻
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. 🇬🇧