Number 1961
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Kashan
Size 203 x 137
Age 1870
This carpet is woven from exactly the same cartoon as a pure silk rug signed by the elusive master weaver Molla Mohammad Hasan Mohtasham, currently in a private German collection. This leads us to conclude, given its remarkable finesse and above all the stunning 🤩 softness of the Kork wool, that this masterpiece was woven in the Mohtasham workshop. It is not a 'school of Mohtasham' weave but the real deal 👌
Depicted we see Nader Shah Afshar enthroned and giving audience. A cartouche above his head states his name and informs us that the carpet was commissioned by a certain Hajji Mirza, in itself another clue that this was an order from the famous master himself.
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 🇱🇻
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 🇱🇧
As a carpet collector of 30 years, I have noticed a decline in the amount of truly unique and high quality carpets on the market. I have also noted a decline in the knowledge of merchants, generally. Hadi Maktabi stands against this trend as a both a curator for and an educator of his clients. His offerings are well-researched, museum quality carpets that are both singular and expertly chosen. In dealing with Hadi, I have experienced excellent communication, a high standard of service and extremely pleasant interactions. Warren D., Hong Kong ðŸ‡ðŸ‡°