Number 1036
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Serapi
Size 638 x 397
Age 1870
One of my personal favorites. I missed buying it a couple of times and then years later it was offered to me discretely out of the blue, if you'll pardon the pun. This Serapi is quelque chose d'autre entirely. Obviously a palace carpet from its might size and unique sky blue coloration. Plus the fact that it depicts seemingly endless rows of palaces with elegant domes that recall Timurid period architecture from the 14th and 15th centuries (which coincidentally were the same shade of turquoise blue we see here). Otherwise said, we could be looking at this palatial scene here with the blue field of the carpet filling in as the sky behind the architecture.
Serapi is a trade name used to refer to the very best Heriz carpets of a certain grade that share vital features. We can see them all here including the extra fine weave with crispness of design, the absence of dark colors and the booming cheer of the dye materials. This is both an intact decorative artwork and a high grade collectible antique. I doubt I will lay eyes on a better one in this lifetime.
“I practically furnished my entire home with carpets from Hadi. The process was not only a joy but it was also a learning experience for me. Hadi was super helpful in identifying the right pieces for my home that would both work with my taste, budget, sizes required and that would be a good investment for my family. Hadi’s collection is second to none, and his knowledge and service is truly the blessing on top.” Amr Banaja, Public Investment Fund, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
Hadi Maktabi and his staff provide comprehensive and thoughtful services to collectors and textile buyers worldwide. His knowledge of antique oriental rugs and textiles, including many fine offerings from the Levant, is unsurpassed. We have been loyal customers for over five years and have visited his Beirut premises. He has worked with us upon several occasions to select the exact Ottoman and Levantine pieces we wanted for our collection. You can be sure of quality and honesty when dealing with Hadi. Penelope and Timothy Hays, Just In From The East Collection, Florida 🇺🇸
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 🇱🇧