Number 402
Origin Shahsavan
Material Wool
Style Geometric
Type Kilim
Size 329 x 170
Age 1850
This is one of a pair of exquisitely fine kilims I bought from the descendant of one of the grand old Khans of the Shahsavan tribe. The other I sold to a very good friend of mine, a dedicated kilim collector. The nomadic clan that wove it used to inhabit the fertile grasslands around Hashtrud in Azerbaijan, so called because it lay at the conflux of 8 rivers or streams.
This kilim was made using the finest dyes and wool, and is by far finer than any other tribal kilim I've seen. The traditional Shahsavan manner of staggering rows of lozenges, separated by narrow horizontal strips, is given new life here. Indeed this may well be the originator of such designs seen elsewhere (please check the Shahsavan Shirvan Kilim elsewhere on this site). Usually 4 lozenges appear per row in a 2 meter wide kilim. Here we have 8 per 1.7 meter width. Do the width to appreciate how finer it is. It folds neatly into the size of 4 iPads stacked above one another. Dyes? Zoom in to be amazed!
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 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
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 🇺🇸