Mahal Sultanabad 1088

This late 19th century Persian Mahal Sultanabad rug, from the golden era of Ziegler-commissioned Sultanabad carpet production, features a large-scale allover pattern set against a richly toned rust red field. The piece is distinguished by rare and captivating turquoise green-blue corner spandrels — an unusual color accent that immediately sets it apart from standard Sultanabad production. The expansive design is further enriched with shades of deep navy, soft pink, ivory, and subtle greens and blues, all framed by a bold navy border adorned with geometric motifs in turquoise, soft pink, and complementary hues.

Mahal and Sultanabad rugs, woven in the Arak (Sultanabad) district of West-Central Persia, represent some of the most generously scaled and decoratively powerful carpets in the Persian tradition. The Ziegler & Co. commission of the late 19th century — in which a Manchester trading house contracted with local weavers to produce large-format carpets in softer, more Western-friendly color palettes — transformed the Sultanabad region into one of the premier carpet-producing centers in the world. The resulting Ziegler Sultanabads, with their large-scale floral and geometric motifs, their abrash-rich natural dye palettes, and their imposing room-filling dimensions, are among the most sought-after antique Persian carpets in the interior design and collector markets today.

Dimensions: 8' 6" x 12' 2"

Date of Manufacture: 4th Quarter of the 1800s

Place of Origin: Persia (Arak/Sultanabad district)

Material: Wool pile on a cotton foundation

Condition: Wear consistent with age and use

SKU: 1088