Antique Mahal Rugs and Carpets – It has occurred to me that we never addressed the issue of Persian Antique Mahal Rugs vs. Sultanabad Rugs. There is a growing misconception that Sultanabad Rugs & Mahal Rugs were both woven in the same place – Arak. But in reality, Sultanabad rugs were woven in Arak while Mahal carpets were woven in the city of Mahallat which is also known as Mahallat-e Bala or Mahallat Bala,
Mahal rugs tend to have a courser weave, the wool is not as lustrous and the design is not as refined as those that were produced in Arak ( Sultanabad ). Price is also a factor, since the carpets from Sultanabad are considered better quality and are feature designs that are more interesting they were always more expensive than their Mahal counterparts. Both rug productions incorporate patterns that are not exactly floral or geometric, a unique feature which makes them extremely versatile and can be incorporated in almost any setting or decor.
When decorating with antique rugs from Sultanabad, it is useful to know a little bit about the background of these rugs. Indeed, antique Mahal carpets offer one of the most interesting histories of any antique rug style.
The Persian Mahal rug featured in the photo above, in a gorgeous room designed by Lori Morris Interiors, is a wonderful example of those Persian Mahal carpets that feature a softer, earthier palette.