Number 404
Type Village
Material Wool
Style Flowery
Origin Malayer
Size 165 x 117
Age 1870
This is the finest Malayer rug I have had. The weave is as crisp as the best pure silk carpets you will ever see. The Gol Farang flowery style is interpreted with an impressive sense of balance and symmetry. Six half medallion are equally spaced around the complete central one. In between all is a stunning negative space of midnight blue, a natural dye so saturated that it is closer to blackish kohl than blue. And in it we see the secret to this rug's success and its raison d'être: four little human motifs of a young lady. From what we know of old customs, this indicates this was a dowry rug woven on occasion of a young bride's impending wedding. Absolutely brilliant.
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 dealer’s 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
As a carpet collector of 30 years, I have noticed a decline in the amount of truly unique and high quality carpets on the market. I have also noted a decline in the knowledge of merchants, generally. Hadi Maktabi stands against this trend as a both a curator for and an educator of his clients. His offerings are well-researched, museum quality carpets that are both singular and expertly chosen. In dealing with Hadi, I have experienced excellent communication, a high standard of service and extremely pleasant interactions. Warren D., Hong Kong 🇭🇰
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 🇱🇻