Magnificent Persian Mahal Carpet – Extra Large

Carpets classified as Mahal are made in urban workshops in and around Arak (Sultanabad) in West Central Persia. Persian Mahal carpets display distinctive and characteristic designs invariably based on 16th and 17th Century Classical Persian carpet designs, though with a new style of pattern drawing. Mahal  gained prominence as a carpet weaving area from around 1870 onwards when western influences on design and colourways began to  play a significant part in Persian carpet design, hitherto only been the prerogative of home based weavers. In the Arak area, Ziegler and Co, based in Manchester, England, set up workshops in the region to create patterns presented in revised colour selection specifically geared to appealing to western tastes. Persian Mahal carpets rapidly became extremely popular decorative furnishing carpets in western markets from this time. These influences transformed weaving in the area, and their important standing remains in place today.

This Persian Mahal carpet, displays a great sense of fluidity and movement in this bold rendition, complementing the rare huge size of the carpet. A formal arrangement of a column of large palmettes based on Classical Persian prototypes and linked by an ogival lattice. This arrangement is a highly individual adaptation from Classical tradition, and is symmetrical on the vertical axis. As is often the case, the pattern is enhanced by the infinite repeat device where motifs are partially hidden by the border, suggesting that the pattern is never ending.

This magnificent Persian Mahal carpet displays a range of characteristic colours consistent with 20th century Persian Mahal carpet artistry. Predominantly pastel shades of ochre, coral, pale blue, pale green, buff and white are present here with occasional deeper red detailing used to give a visual enhancement to the various pattern elements where used. Grey tones are used as outlining and for defining the finer elements of the pattern. All these wonderful harmonic colours are presented on a rich ivory background. The border pattern is more detailed and complex with angular drawn floral elements presented in similar colours all on a wonderful pale blue background. The more complex pattern drawing in the border magnificently frames the more airy open field pattern arrangement, and is yet a further enhancement to this oversized Persian Mahal carpet.

This oversized Persian Mahal carpet represents an outstanding example of 20th Century Mahal artistry combining Classical tradition with characteristic Mahal ingenuity and originality. The style of design and colours used are very closely related to those often seen in Persian Ziegler carpets of the early 20th century.

Persian Mahal Carpet. This piece was handwoven in Mahal , Iran. For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.