Number 924
Material Wool
Style Pictorial
Origin Qashqai
Type Tribal
Size 120 x 95 when fully opened
Age 1870
How can you not fall in love with this? Even if you won't really need it for travel or migration, something about it tugs at you and makes you want it. It is one of a kind really, a carpet woven bag that goes lightyears beyond saddlebag 𝘬𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘫𝘪𝘯𝘴 and 𝘮𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩 bedding bags. It was published in an Italian collection back in the 1980s, when it was already over 100 years old, and hasn't aged a day since. A highly accomplished artist from the Kashkuli clan created it.
It is woven in one complete piece on a loom but consists of 5 sections. The central one is woven in rainbow stripe kilim and the 4 lateral ones are knotted in carpet pile. The two parts on the right and left are hexagonal while the upper and lower ones are rectangular. The 4 sections rise together to form a hexagonal-pyramidcal 3D structure. The bag has its original leather straps and iron buckles, in addition to leather going around the edges where woolen selvedges would normally be wound. Impeccable! All this and we haven't started to mention the 𝘎𝘰𝘭 𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘭 design..
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 🇱🇻
To me personally there is no surprise, event or frankly anything that gets me more excited than the purchase of a treasured piece of understated artwork such as that of a proper vintage/antique carpet. The sourcing, grading and authentication of these pieces is no small task but is of the highest importance. Through the respected dealer Hadi Maktabi all that is guaranteed, and rest assured the one thing I can guarantee personally as a client is a first class service from the initial selection process till it gets delivered right to your door step. It was an undeniably special experience, with hundreds of carpets to choose from, will definitely be visiting again. Thank you dear Hadi. Habeeb Al Monawer, Kuwait 🇰🇼
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 🇫🇷