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.
โI practically furnished my entire home with carpets from Hadi. The process was not only a joy but it was also a learning experience for me. Hadi was super helpful in identifying the right pieces for my home that would both work with my taste, budget, sizes required and that would be a good investment for my family. Hadiโs collection is second to none, and his knowledge and service is truly the blessing on top.โ Amr Banaja, Public Investment Fund, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ๐ธ๐ฆ
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 ๐ฑ๐ป
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 ๐ฐ๐ผ