Number HA853
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Flowery
Origin Kerman
Size 61 x 58
Age 1910
A startling find in the early days of 2025, this museum grade Poshti rug is a piece of history. It is notable for its very rare size and double signatures. It is very, very much a historical Hadi Maktabi rug.
ูุฑู
ุงูุด ุณุฑุฏุงุฑ ู
ุญุชุดู
ุณูุงุฑุด ู
ุญู
ุฏ ุฑุถุง ุฎุงู
๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ข๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐๐ค๐๐ฉ๐๐จ๐๐๐ข
๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐๐๐ข๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ
Gholam Hossein Khan (c.1866-1950) was one of the paramount Bakhtiari chiefs of the turn of the 20th century. He rose to become Ilbegi & Ilkhani of the tribe. He played a major role in the Constitutional Revolution of 1906-9 and was subsequently dubbed Sardar Mohtasham by the Shah. He served as Minister of War and was appointed Governor of Kerman, where he presumably met and collaborated with Mo Reza.
Mohammad Reza Khan was a Qajar court official who played the fundamental crucial role as liaison between the royals and the leading Kerman carpet masters. His reputation as the nationโs leading specialist in carpet art is evident in the various high grade rugs proudly bearing his name.
Both these esteemed individuals combined on very few and very select pieces together. A famous example is a masterpiece that sold for $192,000 at @christiesinc in 2005, bearing similar signatures (https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4642816).
The present miniature rugโunique for its size and impressive for managing to include twin inscriptionsโhas a delightful Millefleurs flower field that packs a powerful punch in a frankly tiny area. But thatโs the charm. The purpose of such a miniature carpet was evidently ceremonial, most likely a diplomatic gift or souvenir from one of the most powerful chieftains of the day.
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
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
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