Persian Sultanabad (Soltanabad) Carpets

The ancient Persian city of Sultanabad, (now known as Arak) has been synonymous with fine Persian carpet weaving since the mid 19th century, and soon became Iran's most important centre of carpet production up until at least 1940. Antique Sultanabad carpets from the 19th and turn of the 20th century have become perhaps the most desirable among the Persian weaving's, as they appeal to both the connoisseurs and interior designers. The designs of antique Sultanabad carpets are variations on classical Persian all over patterns, such as the Herati (repeated diamond and curling leaf), the Mina Khani (repeated circular flower heads) and Harshang (highly stylized dragon and blossom), often in subtle, glowing pastels and earth tones. The Oriental carpets from Sultanabad were a product of the cottage industry in and around this Northwest Persian town, and were often produced on the family level. Therefore, they usually use a moderate weave, and somewhat thicker pile, similar to nomadic and tribal rugs. Nevertheless, they have now taken an equal seat beside the highly reputed and more finely knotted Ferahan and Sarouk Persian carpets from this same Arak district. In the late 1870's a new style of Sultanabad carpet was developed as a result of the Ziegler & Co Manchester, which subsidized one of a kind commissions particularly for export to Great Britain and France. This resulted in the Ziegler Sultanabad Persian carpet style. Distinguished by a significantly finer weave and stylish allover design in delicate colours. Although based on classical Persian carpet designs, Zieglers often delightfully inspired English translations, often to impressive over scale proportions. Modern day production of Persian carpets in Sultanabad (Arak) has almost gone, with just a few weaving houses producing a very small number of these beautiful Persian carpets.
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