Number 814
Material Camel Hair
Style Geometric
Origin Gabbeh
Type Tribal
Size 124 x 106
Age 1900
I am so proud to own this rare and honestly highly important gabbeh. It is one of two that tower head and shoulders above all others that I've seen, along with the Mondrian rug on this website.
It is an extremely unique child woven rug. Traditionally tribal societies would bring young girls gradually into the craft of carpet weaving. They would start out carding wool, separating batches of dyed fiber, and slowly learn the skills of knotting. Eventually, when aged 10-12 they would try making their own rug. The resultant carpet would not be anything much to speak of usually and almost always was coarse and clunky. The girl's mother or grandmother would encourage her to do better next time and would place the carpet in a place of high traffic or use. Thus, these pre-teen child weaves seldom survived.
Once in a blue moon, however, the carpet actually survived--and was heartbreakingly awesome 🤩 This is indeed a masterpiece. The field is plain camel hair of the softest vintage with a single lozenge thrown into the bottom left corner. The border is abstract, woven with undyed black sheep wool, and shows the weaver herself along with her pet dog and what intriguingly looks like a dinosaur 🦖
I love you, nameless young artist. You inspire me. That's why I set my WhatsApp chat background to this gabbed when I got it!
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 🇱🇻
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 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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