Number 1752
Type Workshop
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Tabriz
Size 60 x 88
Age 1943-44
Signed by the legendary Grand Master Aalabaf of Tabriz
Inscribed PGC : Persian Gulf Command
The PGC was set up to be the American forward base in the Middle East during the second world war. In Iran specifically, through which the Americans supplied petroleum and heavy weaponry to Soviet Russia. What Cold War? The mother of all October surprises. It’s a unique facet of 20th century military history and it’s immortalized in this rug. It’s also a timely reminder of how close the two countries were until recent times.
As storms of violence herald an engulfing darkness and clouds of hatred rain down death and destruction, it feels as if the end of history is near and that the final chapter, as always, will be set in the Middle East.
But we’ve been here before.
With the same players, the usual villains.
In fact we’ve been here so many hundreds of times across thousands of years. Our lands are where the Tree of Life was planted and where Armageddon is supposed to happen. For now, as the clock counts down to yet another Wild West showdown, the devil holds all the cards in his hand and watches as the dogs of war howl and howl.
Why don’t they give peace a chance?
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 🇱🇻
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 🇫🇷
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
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