Number 221
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Type Anatolian
Origin Anatolian
Size 178 x 124
Age 1860
The Manastir Turkish clans get their name from their original habitats on the slopes of Balkan mountains atop which Greek Orthodox monasteries (like Mount Athos) perched. Most Manastir rugs are kilim woven making knotted pile carpets like this rarer. Aesthetically it belongs to a design group called Mecidi (Majidi) after the Sultan Abdul Majid who reigned 1839-1861 on account of certain stylistic factors in carpet design which appeared during his reign. They are sometimes called Ottoman Baroque. The white field is knotted with undyed sheep's wool, dotted with abstract symbols and crowned with a domed mosque at the top. Note the protective halos around the mosque--fascinating! The mehrab prayer niche is ghost like and jagged, somewhat electrified. Perhaps most puzzlingly the border has two distinct patterns, both of oversized roundel forms.
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 🇰🇼
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 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. 🇬🇧