Number B0122
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Baluch
Type Tribal
Size 180 x 100
Age 1870
Fascinating! This important antique tribal rug is a unique variant on one of the oldest and most loved Baluch pictorial themes (that in itself being something extremely rare). The origins lie in folkloric adaptations of medieval Persian poetry, in this case the epic romance of Khosrow and Shirin as recounted in Nizami's ๐๐๐๐ข๐จ๐ diwan of poetry, composed in the 12th century. Khosrow the king is completely out of the picture and instead we have a perfect square of 4 x 4 representations of his Armenian queen, Shirin.
The carpet is complete, with oxidation and slight wear, but without damages. There is an impressive range of blues on show, namely in the skirts and garments of the various queens. It is endlessly intriguing to observe how their hand gestures shift from row to row.
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. ๐ฌ๐ง
Acquiring a piece from my dear friend Hadi is truly a journey. We start that journey with a lesson and detailed background on any piece that is of interest. After a thorough discussion regarding the chosen piece or should I say marvel, since Hadi's pieces are truly marvels, Hadi guides us into why he would advise us to acquire it or go for another of his marvels that would suit us more than the one initially chosen. This sincere advice always makes us feel that we are generously taken care of by Hadi. The learning process and honesty in guidance make us go back only to Hadi whenever we are looking for our next beautiful piece for our homes. All I can say is thank you Hadi for your impeccable guidance and service. Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Kuwait ๐ฐ๐ผ
I must say this one of the most enriching carpet purchase experiences I ever had. This was not a mere transaction but more an experience about art and history. Dr Maktabi's experience and knowledge in this space is second to none. Highly recommended! R.A., Doha, Qatar