Number 1831
Type Village
Material Wool
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Farahan
Size 128 x 75
Age 1850
This is a marvelous find.
It is the only Farahan prayer rug I know of.
Despite the lack of mehrab prayer niche, it is clearly an item of religious art and function. The size is odd for Farahan carpets but ideally suited for prayer use. The top, where the forehead touches the ground, is inscribed with the verse recited during prostration in prayer:
سبحان ربي الاعلى و بحمده
Either side of that we see opened up palms placed on the ground, indicating where the pious owner would place their hands. These are known as the Hands of Fatima. Note the lovingly manicured nails.
Elsewhere, we see the field has an allover Herati or Mahi pattern. The pattern coalesced in the Farahan region in the early to mid 19th century. One standout and very localized feature is the superb emerald green dye which was a local speciality and is hard to find elsewhere. This specific green usually survives well and does not oxidize nor fade.
Perfect condition with full pile and intact ends with full kilim finishing.
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 🇱🇻
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 🇺🇸
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 🇱🇧
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