Number 814
Material Camel Hair
Style Geometric
Origin Gabbeh
Type Tribal
Size 124 x 106
Age 1900
I am so proud to own this rare and honestly highly important gabbeh. It is one of two that tower head and shoulders above all others that I've seen, along with the Mondrian rug on this website.
It is an extremely unique child woven rug. Traditionally tribal societies would bring young girls gradually into the craft of carpet weaving. They would start out carding wool, separating batches of dyed fiber, and slowly learn the skills of knotting. Eventually, when aged 10-12 they would try making their own rug. The resultant carpet would not be anything much to speak of usually and almost always was coarse and clunky. The girl's mother or grandmother would encourage her to do better next time and would place the carpet in a place of high traffic or use. Thus, these pre-teen child weaves seldom survived.
Once in a blue moon, however, the carpet actually survived--and was heartbreakingly awesome 🤩 This is indeed a masterpiece. The field is plain camel hair of the softest vintage with a single lozenge thrown into the bottom left corner. The border is abstract, woven with undyed black sheep wool, and shows the weaver herself along with her pet dog and what intriguingly looks like a dinosaur 🦖
I love you, nameless young artist. You inspire me. That's why I set my WhatsApp chat background to this gabbed when I got it!
I must say this one of the most enriching carpet purchase experiences I ever had. This was not a mere transaction but more an experience about art and history. Dr Maktabi's experience and knowledge in this space is second to none. Highly recommended! R.A., Doha, Qatar
J’ai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la préparation de l’exposition « L’Empire des roses, chefs-d’œuvre de l’art persan du 19ème siècle » qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et à laquelle il a participé par le prêt de tapis exceptionnels. J’avais alors été impressionnée par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marqué le début d’une collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes s’enrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains n’ont pas leur équivalent dans les musées occidentaux. Ce que j’apprécie chez Hadi ? C’est son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et l’engouement qu’il a pour son métier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France 🇫🇷
“You don’t just buy a rug from Dr Maktabi... It’s an experience, a rich one! You learn about history, culture & art. And more importantly you feel euphoric!” Dr Siamak Abolhassani, Expert Medical Care Clinics, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
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