Mahal Carpet
Reference Number: 17319
Size: 14 ft 11 in x 12 ft 4 in
Origin: Central Persia
Woven: Circa 1925
Description:
The Arak region in central Persia is generally accepted to have produced more large carpets than any other province in that country. During the second half of the nineteenth century, new carpet production commenced expressly for export to both Europe and the West. The most visible entity to set up looms in this area was Ziegler and Company of Manchester, England, in 1883. This company had previously been exporting printed cottons into this region as well as Turkey, and wanted to take part in this emerging market opportunity. Their base of operation was the town of Sultanabad. Ziegler produced carpets with both European and American tastes in mind by employing designers from retailers such as B. Altman and Liberty of London to create their patterns. These designs were intended to promote a balance and symmetry in scale with both the architectural proportion of a room as well as its furnishings. They were able to maintain a high level of quality by operating their own dyeing facility and providing their weavers with top grade materials. Having large scale allover patterns executed in softer pallets than their counterparts from other weaving centers, these carpets are considered to be amongst the most decorative to have been produced. In 1900 Ziegler had roughly 2500 looms set up in Sultanabad as well as its surrounding villages, one of which was Mahal. Rug production by this firm ended in 1934; however, the aesthetic introduced by them left a lasting impact on most of the carpets woven in this region.
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