Number (sold)
Type Village
Material Camel Hair
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Bakhshayesh
Size 133 x 80
Age 1880
One of a handful of extremely rare, important and collectible Bakhshayesh tribal rugs woven with camel hair and that served as meditation or prayer rugs for high ranking members of Sufi brotherhoods in the 19th century. Camel hair as a fiber is closely linked to Sufi mystical rituals and habits given its rarity, softness and color properties. The symbolism of the camel and the great esteem in which it was held by traditional societies in the Middle East further add to that. The plain field allows the camel hair to shine, so to speak, and yields an abstract minimalist effect. We see a prayer mihrab at either end. The Heriz district where the tiny village of Bakhshayesh is located is not known for weaving small sized rugs, giving surviving examples like this tremendous appeal and importance too. Perfect condition. The softness of the texture has to be handled to be believed.
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
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 🇱🇻
“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 🇦🇺
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