Number 1906
Origin Sarab
Material Camel Hair
Style Prayer Rug
Type Tribal
Size 379 x 167
Age 1317 (1899)
A unique tribal Sarab carpet woven with plush camel hair, combining geometric abstraction with rich Persian symbolism. The upper border carries an important inscription:
ู
ุญุฑูู
ุงูุญุฑุงู
ุณูุฉ ูกูฃูกูง
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ข๐ฎ ๐๐ฏ ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ 1317
Nomadic Sarab rugs are almost never signed nor dated. Why would one be inscribed in this manner? The key rests in the month of Moharram, which is when the 10 days of the battle of Karbala took place in the year 61 of the Hijra (683 AD). Ashoura, the religious commemoration of the killing of the Prophet's grandson, Imam Hossein, remains arguably the single most important event in the Shia calendar. During these 10 days, and until today, people would gather in mosques or ๐๐ฐ๐ด๐ด๐ฆ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐บ๐ขs to recite the tragic stories of that battle. As such, the month of Moharram carries significant socio-cultural connotations and its mentioning on a carpet indicates that it was commissioned for either a mosque or more likely a ๐๐ฐ๐ด๐ด๐ฆ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐บ๐ข on this holy occasion.
As such we have here not only a very beautiful antique artifact, but also a very gripping artwork of massive ethnographic and religious value.
Purchasing carpets from Hadi Maktabi was the epitome of professionalism and joy. Hadi is an expert curator, purveyor, historian and story teller. His passion, knowledge, professionalism and expertise are evident every step of the way. With a wide range of choices and prices, prompt service, and fast sipping, we had our carpets in Sydney in a matter of days. The ultimate flying carpet experience! Zeina Tebbutt, Sidney, Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
The idea of purchasing valuable rugs and other artwork online from an overseas seller is daunting for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that, not being able to examine and feel the rug for yourself, you are never entirely certain that the origin, age or condition of the rug corresponds with the dealerโs description. For me, I could never take this step unless I had absolute trust in the integrity of the dealer, and my recent experience with Hadi confirms that my faith in him was well placed. Every detail of the antique rug expertly explained by Hadi was accurate and when I finally received the actual rug, it turned out to be even more stunning than his photos depicted. F. Alsagoff, Singapore
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