Hand-knotted Mahal Area Rug, 13’5″x10’1″, Code:1136

The Mahals are Persian rugs that are hand-woven in a region called Mahallat, which is situated outside of Arak, the capital city of the province of Arak (Markazi) in central Northwestern Iran. The history of this area is very rich and its rug-weaving industry dates back many centuries. Arak and its surrounding area is a significant rug-producing district in Iran, located east of the province of Hamedan, south of the province of Zanjan, and north of the province of Lorestan. Many neighboring towns and villages around Arak, including Mahallat, Ferahan, and Lylyan, produce countless quantities of handmade Persian rugs every year. The finished carpets are usually marketed in the town itself. Some of the neighboring towns and villages have strong Kurdish influences on their style of weaving, and some traces of Turkish ancestry can also be seen.

Ziegler’s, a British firm, opened a carpet factory in this region in 1883 to produce rugs that could be marketed in Europe and the USA. By the turn of the century, Ziegler controlled over 2500 looms in this district. The Mahallat produces a high-quality rug known as Mahal, and Sarough is also famous for producing exquisite pieces. The surrounding villages produce rugs that tend to look more tribal. Ferahans and Serabands are also very recognized worldwide for their high-quality weave and rich history, while Mirabad produces high-quality carpets with an overall design known as the Mir. All the rugs made in this area are unique, but some of them have a striking resemblance.

The rugs in this region range from medium to fine quality, but all of them are 100% handmade and authentic. The pile of the rugs is made of wool, and they are woven using asymmetrical Persian knots to tie each loop one by one. Cotton or goat hair is used for the foundation, with cotton being used more often, and the wool used in the rugs is hand-spun, usually from the weaver’s own sheep. Although silk pile or silk foundation is rare, some rugs have a pile of silk and wool blend. The Sarough is the most famous rug from this region, known for its exceptional quality. The Mahal, Ferahan, Seraband, and Mir are also of high quality, and the rugs from other villages are also durable and can last an incredibly long period of time.

The colors of the rugs are mainly vegetable dyes, and the carpets usually follow the famous ‘Mahi’ (fish) design, sometimes referred to as ‘Herati’. This is an elegant all-over pattern that complements every style of furniture. The rugs are completely unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that will significantly enhance any room in any home. The entire area is important and precious to the Persian rug community and deserves the respect it gets.