Number CC702
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Type Anatolian
Origin Anatolian
Size 144 x 98
Age 1910
This is a unique & brilliant Ottoman-era religious carpet woven by the native Greek community of Cappadocia in Asia Minor in 1910, the descendants of the ancient Hellenic & Byzantine peoples who had lived there for over 4,000 years.
The field is dominated by the double-headed eagle bearing two swords โ๏ธ in its talons, the famous emblem of the Byzantine emperors and, subsequently, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople. It represented the Emperorโs dual suzerainty over the temporal and spiritual worlds or, alternatively, the eastern and western spheres of Christianity. In short, power. The eagle ๐ฆ
is topped by an ecumenical crown ๐ with cross, representing the emperor (and after 1453, the GO Patriarch) as Christโs vicar on earth.
The roundel bears a Greek inscription which reads ๐๐ค๐ก๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐ช๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฅ๐ค๐ก๐. The top end of the rug has a further inscription ฮคฮ ฮ ฮฮฮคฮ ฮฮฮ ฮฮ ฮ ฮฮฃฮ ฮงฮกฮฮฃฮคฮฮฃ: Everywhere and in everything lives Christ. Further writings appear in the lower part.
The golden saffron field is very eye catching and reflects medieval Byzantine imperial and ecclesiastical banners, which you may still see today outside churches in Greece and elsewhere in the Green Orthodox & Greek Catholic world. The rug has melodious purple and sweet green tones which do not show so well in these hurried photos I took indoors (rain etc). The flower garland above the crown and the blossoming vines above that are delightful.
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
As a carpet collector of 30 years, I have noticed a decline in the amount of truly unique and high quality carpets on the market. I have also noted a decline in the knowledge of merchants, generally. Hadi Maktabi stands against this trend as a both a curator for and an educator of his clients. His offerings are well-researched, museum quality carpets that are both singular and expertly chosen. In dealing with Hadi, I have experienced excellent communication, a high standard of service and extremely pleasant interactions. Warren D., Hong Kong ๐ญ๐ฐ
Jโai fait la connaissance de Hadi lors de la prรฉparation de lโexposition ยซ LโEmpire des roses, chefs-dโลuvre de lโart persan du 19รจme siรจcle ยป qui a eu lieu au Louvre-Lens en 2018 et ร laquelle il a participรฉ par le prรชt de tapis exceptionnels. Jโavais alors รฉtรฉ impressionnรฉe par ses connaissances et sa passion pour les tapis orientaux. Cette rencontre a marquรฉ le dรฉbut dโune collaboration riche et fructueuse. Elle a notamment permis au musรฉe du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac de voir ses collections iraniennes sโenrichir de plusieurs tapis et tentures dont certains nโont pas leur รฉquivalent dans les musรฉes occidentaux. Ce que jโapprรฉcie chez Hadi ? Cโest son professionnalisme, son dynamisme et lโengouement quโil a pour son mรฉtier ! Hana Chidiac, Curator of the Middle East Department at the Musee Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris, France ๐ซ๐ท
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