Number 1617
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style All Over
Origin Farahan
Size 510 X 315
Age 1850
Utterly magnificent. This carpet has a Farahan weave and pre-dated the Ziegler enterprise which was set up in Sultanabad in 1872. It features a royal Shah Abbas field of all over lotus flowers and leaves.
It has 2 main and very powerful attractions, age apart. One is the imposing size; the other is the formidable border. Not only is it quite wide in proportion to the carpet, but it is presented with an uncommon ivory color that contrasts sharply with the midnight blue field. On top it bears an extremely elegant sequence of calligraphic roundels executed in ultra elaborate Nastaliq script. The gist of this poetry is that the "carpet was created to go under the feet of the Sultans of the world" ie made for a royal audience-- and very fittingly in Sultanabad, the city of Sultans.
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 π±π§
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 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 π±π»