Number 659
Type Workshop
Material Silk
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Anatolian
Size 180 x 120
Age 1903
There simply doesn't exist any other comparable piece to this pure silk prayer rug. It is closest in spirit to Ottoman silk carpets but is not quite the same. The expression of the bichromatic mihrab is distinctly Maghrebi North African, as are the columns. The octagonal star bears a dedication to "His Excellency the Wali (Governor) of Sousse", an ancient city in Tunisia. At that time the country was a French protectorate which may explain the Gregorian date used on an Islamic prayer rug. A fascinating fusion. A museum piece par excellence.
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 🇱🇧
“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 🇸🇦