Number 44608
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Arab
Size 91 x 126
Age 1950
This sweet rug from my private collection has taken on new meaning to me, in light of the last weekโs events, from Idlib to Damascus.
It has a famous couplet from the grand old Egyptian poet Ahmad Shawqi ุงู
ูุฑ ุงูุดุนุฑุงุก, the prince of poets:
ูููุง ุฏู
ุดู ูู
ุง ูุงูุช ุทููุทูุฉ ููุง ุฒูุช ุจุจูู ุงูุนุจุงุณ ุจุบุฏุงู
(If not for Damascus, there would be no Toledo, nor would Baghdad have prospered with the Abbasids.)
It has further inscriptions that say:
ู
ุฏููุฉ ุงูุณูุงู
ุฏู
ุดู ุงูุดุงู
(The city of peace, Damascus of Sham)
It is signed by the Syrian weaver ู
ุญู
ุฏ ุฑุถุง ุงูู
ุฌูุฏ Mohammad Reda Al Majid in the ancient city of ู
ุนุฑุฉ ุงููุนู
ุงู Maโarrat Al Noโman in Idlib province, famous as the birthplace of the medieval poet philosopher ุงุจู ุนูุงุก ุงูู
ุนุฑู Abu Alaโ Al Maโarri (973 - 1057). (No, that was not a nom de guerre nor a pseudonym.)
It is incredibly rare for settled Arabs to weave carpets. It is far rarer to find an Arab workshop-made Syrian carpet. This is a piece of history.
As we witness live history unfolding on fast forward, please spare a thought for the beautiful country of Syria, its utterly remarkable people, their invaluable contributions to humanity across history, and all the hardships they have endured for so long. I pray for peace, prosperity and stability.
Posted on December 8, 2024.
Hadi Maktabi and his staff provide comprehensive and thoughtful services to collectors and textile buyers worldwide. His knowledge of antique oriental rugs and textiles, including many fine offerings from the Levant, is unsurpassed. We have been loyal customers for over five years and have visited his Beirut premises. He has worked with us upon several occasions to select the exact Ottoman and Levantine pieces we wanted for our collection. You can be sure of quality and honesty when dealing with Hadi. Penelope and Timothy Hays, Just In From The East Collection, Florida ๐บ๐ธ
Acquiring a piece from my dear friend Hadi is truly a journey. We start that journey with a lesson and detailed background on any piece that is of interest. After a thorough discussion regarding the chosen piece or should I say marvel, since Hadi's pieces are truly marvels, Hadi guides us into why he would advise us to acquire it or go for another of his marvels that would suit us more than the one initially chosen. This sincere advice always makes us feel that we are generously taken care of by Hadi. The learning process and honesty in guidance make us go back only to Hadi whenever we are looking for our next beautiful piece for our homes. All I can say is thank you Hadi for your impeccable guidance and service. Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Kuwait ๐ฐ๐ผ
Jโai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la prรฉparation de lโexposition ยซ LโEmpire des roses, chefs-dโลuvre de lโart persan du 19รจme siรจcle ยป qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et ร laquelle il a participรฉ par le prรชt de tapis exceptionnels. Jโavais alors รฉtรฉ impressionnรฉe par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marquรฉ le dรฉbut dโune collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musรฉe du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes sโenrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains nโont pas leur รฉquivalent dans les musรฉes occidentaux. Ce que jโapprรฉcie chez Hadi ? Cโest son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et lโengouement quโil a pour son mรฉtier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France ๐ซ๐ท