Number 1714
Type Village
Material Wool
Style All Over
Origin Malayer
Size 720 x 360
Age 1318 Hijri (1899)
It is indeed a wonderful world when you stumble across such startling masterpieces of folk art and cultural resonance.
This is the largest Malayer I have ever seen. It is also the most ambitious 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 or 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐡 carpet I have seen. The scale is gigantic really. A mighty Lion 🦁 and Sun 🌞 element proudly stands at each corner of the field. This is the ancient 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐨 𝐊𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐝, the emblem of Persian royalty and kingship. Which confirms this carpet was commissioned for a royal palace.
It survives in perfect condition and has a most attractive border of calligraphy in 𝙉𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙦 Persian poetry. In the lower border we read that the carpet was commissioned on the occasion of 𝐄𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐥 𝐆𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐫, a very important occasion for Shia Iranians. The upper border tells us this was in the Hijri year 1318 (1899 CE).
The photo is not in highest resolution given the sheer scale of dimensions. Please email or DM me for crisper full photos and detailed closeups.
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 🇱🇻
J’ai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la préparation de l’exposition « L’Empire des roses, chefs-d’œuvre de l’art persan du 19ème siècle » qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et à laquelle il a participé par le prêt de tapis exceptionnels. J’avais alors été impressionnée par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marqué le début d’une collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes s’enrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains n’ont pas leur équivalent dans les musées occidentaux. Ce que j’apprécie chez Hadi ? C’est son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et l’engouement qu’il a pour son métier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France 🇫🇷
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 🇰🇼