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.
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
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. ๐ฌ๐ง
โYou donโt just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... Itโs an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!โ Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia ๐ฆ๐บ