20th Century Persian Mahal Carpet

The district of Mahal, in Northwest Persia, has long been an important weaving centre, and its late 19th and early 20th Century works are widely regarded as among the most desirable Persian carpets of the era. 

Pieces such as this example are associated with a category of weavings commissioned by the Manchester-based company, Ziegler and Co, in the late 1870s, to be sold in the European market, adapting Classical designs for Western decorative tastes. 

These pieces, known for their fine weaves, large-format patterns, and innovative use of colour, can be spotted in grand historic houses across the UK and Europe. This example, woven in lustrous wool, employs a light terracotta field, which works to compliment the wide range of vegetable-dyed colours in the drawing, including cornflower blues and various ochre tones. The composition features a balanced overall pattern, with a repeated large-scale scrolling motif, framed by a wide border – its sought-after squarish format is uncommon, with most examples being more rectangular in their proportions. 

A handsome early piece, retained in very good condition for everyday use, with a restrained elegance to suit either a contemporary or classic interior.