Number 1948-1949
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Tehran
Size 213 x 135 & 208 x 137
Age 1880
The most distinctive of all Qajar carpets are those woven in the palace workshops of Tehran in the famous Millefleurs or ๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ช style. Derived from 17th century Mughal Indian masterpieces woven at the court of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, they gained popularity at the court of Nassereddine Shah Qajar in the 1800s. Their rich directional designs are full of breathtaking floral forms, a thousand and one blossoms coming together to give the pattern its name. The common elements across all Millefleurs carpets are the symbolic ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ณ๐ข๐ฃ prayer niche and the ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ vase. Further aesthetic power is yielded by the use of attractive green dyes, a feature rarely seen on other 19th century carpets.
Here, we see all the above. Except doubled.
Here, we have twin Millefleurs rugs. Beauty raised to a higher power.
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
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
To me personally there is no surprise, event or frankly anything that gets me more excited than the purchase of a treasured piece of understated artwork such as that of a proper vintage/antique carpet. The sourcing, grading and authentication of these pieces is no small task but is of the highest importance. Through the respected dealer Hadi Maktabi all that is guaranteed, and rest assured the one thing I can guarantee personally as a client is a first class service from the initial selection process till it gets delivered right to your door step. It was an undeniably special experience, with hundreds of carpets to choose from, will definitely be visiting again. Thank you dear Hadi. Habeeb Al Monawer, Kuwait ๐ฐ๐ผ