Number 1591
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Gabbeh
Type Tribal
Size 169 x 114
Age 1950
Nader Shah Afshar (1736-1747) remains the great folk hero and cult legend of many Persians, especially the very proud tribespeople who consider him one of their own. He rose from humble origins to become "the last great Asiatic conqueror" and changed the fate of a whole continent in a few brief years. His portraits gained a cult following and were depicted on numerous Persian rugs, mostly urban workshop creations. It is unusual to see him (or any portrait really) on a nomadic rug such as this.
What makes it more unusual is that the carpet is woven with two opposing directions for the motifs. Nader and the lower peacock border face one way while the other three borders and the horned antelope face the other.
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 🇱🇻
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 🇦🇺
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 🇭🇰