Number 018
Material Camel Hair
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Sarab
Type Kilim
Size 215 x 126
Age 1915
Shushtar Arab kilims are very finely made and rather shawl like in softness. This stunning example is woven with camel hair rather than wool and has an uncanny resemblance to Sarab camel hair carpets. This type of kilim is known as a sofreh, an eating cloth around which the family would sit cross legged to share meals. The presence of architectural elements at the top end suggests this may have doubled as a prayer rug. Irrepressibly charming.
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 🇱🇧
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 🇦🇺