Number 591
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Medallion
Origin Dorokhsh
Size 172 x 145
Age 1890
Visually arresting and attention grabbing, this powerful rug represents the last flourish of weaving activity in the historic town of Qa'en in Khorasan, capital of the Qa'enat district. As of the 1860s weavers moved successively to Dorokhsh, Birjand and Mood close by. Qa'en had been the center of a massive carpet production in the period stretching from the 17th to the early 19th centuries. It is where designs such as the Mahi originally developed. For further info please check my book.
Here we see a bright red flare (100% organically dyed), the mother of all negative spaces, with charmingly nuanced abrash. The spandrels and medallion bear a very fine rendition of the local Mahi pattern (known as Herati in the literature).
And there, smack in the middle, we see the Zoroastrian sun. A relic of 3000 years of culture and history.
You can't only be a customer of Hadi Maktabi. While his main purpose is rug dealing, he starts with story telling and ends with history selling. That's what I call high-end art curating and closing it all with an entertaining friendship. George El Hani, CEO Levica, Lebanon 🇱🇧
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 🇱🇻
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 🇰🇼