In 1926, the patriarch of the Maktabi family Hajj Hussein Maktabi immigrated to Beirut from Isfahan. He had a passion for collecting oriental carpets like his father before him, and he brought to Lebanon a new source of knowledge, as well as his expertise in this art form. Since then, Hajj Hussein Maktabi and his sons have become pioneers in purveying antique and decorative carpets in the Middle East.
From Saudi Arabia to the Gulf, and from Switzerland to the rest of Europe, the Maktabi family extended its services and expertise. Mohamed Maktabi and his sisters Chirine, Mona, Yasmine, Nisrine and Zeina opened Iwan Maktabi Gallery in 1995 with the support of his father, Abbas Maktabi. Iwan Maktabi has proved to be the place to go to for rare carpets and textile art in the region. With three generations of expertise and a rich private collection of carpets, Iwan Maktabi increased the depth of appreciation for carpets in Lebanon and the region
For three generations, the Maktabi family has shown its passion for collecting oriental carpets. The origin of the family is traced back to Iran and thus comes the name “Iwan” meaning “palace” in the Persian language. Combined with their family name, it roughly translates to the “palace of Maktabi”. Mohamed Maktabi has reinvented the business by combining traditional art with modern contemporary art, while collecting rare carpets and Islamic art pieces. Carpets can be customized in the design studio. Production facilities are located in Turkey, Iran and Nepal.