Number 177
Type Village
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Malayer
Size 194 x 136
Age 1870
Finely woven with exquisite natural dyes, this is a rare prayer rug from the beautiful old city of Malayer where niche or mihrab carpets were not usually made. Theslender vase, woven with undyed ivory wool, and the turquoise blue bowl on which it sits capture the gaze and entice the viewer. The millefleurs style flowers that rise up to the arch are elegantly executed. A pair of architectural columns support the mihrab on the sides; they are quietly presented leaving narrow negative spaces of midnight blue tucked in by the border.
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. 🇬🇧
“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 🇦🇺
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 🇱🇧