Number dooz61
Origin Shahsavan
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Type Tribal
Size 444 x 147
Age 1313 = 1895
Can anything be more unique? Let's look at the overall picture and get down to details. The size is incredible, part kelleh and part runner. The scale of drawing is more in your face than carpets tend to be, making it clear this was a wall (or tent?) hanging par excellence.
Right to left, we see the Hijra date 1313 in camel hair, then a clean shaven warrior with sword facing a ferocious lion that seems to tower over everything else. A cypress tree of life stands either side of the lion. Further on we see a camel (in camel hair!) with a beautiful saddle cover rug on its hump. The stripes suggest a kilim. The camel is led by a little boy and boy do I mean little. After this we get a weeping willow (bid majnoun) tree. All around you can spot snakes, sheep, ducks, dogs, birds, and various sea monsters.
J’ai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la préparation de l’exposition « L’Empire des roses, chefs-d’œuvre de l’art persan du 19ème siècle » qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et à laquelle il a participé par le prêt de tapis exceptionnels. J’avais alors été impressionnée par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marqué le début d’une collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes s’enrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains n’ont pas leur équivalent dans les musées occidentaux. Ce que j’apprécie chez Hadi ? C’est son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et l’engouement qu’il a pour son métier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France 🇫🇷
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 have been buying and collecting oriental rugs for over 40 years. As a result I have had direct experiences with many dealers and galleries throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The Hadi Maktabi establishment is distinct and unique. It is rare to find a dealer who not only has a discerning taste and excellent choice of rugs. But with Hadi, the experience is one of an erudite oriental rug scholar paired with years of family experiences and traditions dealing in rugs, carpets and textiles. The available choices, diversity and quality of his stock is awesome. It is always a pleasure. Highly recommended and satisfying. As a collector he has become not only a partner of choice, knowledge and information but also a valued friend. Robert Bell, CEO Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, U.K. 🇬🇧