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Sultanabad Rugs: The city of Sultanabad (which is now known as Arak) was founded, in the early 1800s, as a center for commercial rug production in Iran. During the late 19th century, the firm of Hotz and Son and Ziegler and Co. established a manufactory in Arak / Sultanabad whose sole objective was to produce rugs to meet the western demands. They even brought over western designers to confirm the western tastes of the time. This was the first instance of a hands-on western influence in the industry (which until this point was sheltered from western insights). The large scale, all over design, and use of western color palettes are all characteristics of trends that have been influenced by Zieglers and many even attribute this style with the initial formation of the Arts and Crafts movement. The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal carpets which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad rugs were made in the same area as the earliest Farahans and Sarouks, but they are very different. Ultimately, they share a common classical Persian repertoire of floral motifs, whether they utilize medallion or overall designs of vinescrolls and palmettes. However, Sultanabad rugs and carpets tend to have a larger, more supple weave (and accordingly exhibit a bolder, more large scale design). Indeed the design of Sultanabads resembles that of Heriz or Serapi somewhat in its graphic and monumental character, but even so the linework is always more curvilinear and classical. Sultanbad carpets also often have a rich, warm palette like that of Farahans and the earliest Sarouks.
Featured Sultanabad Rugs:
With a highly desirable ivory field, this impressive sampler or wagireh exhibits luscious floral
Woven in Sultanabad during the turn of the century, this antique carpet features an ornate arabesque woven with an unusual asymmetric composition.
This antique Sultanabad from Persia has the bold graphic drawing and exuberant freedom of a village rug.
A dramatically graphic allover vinescroll trellis repeats across the field of this stunning antique Persian Sultanabad.
Woven in Sultanabad, this late 19th century carpet features a light arabesque with exaggerated saz-leaf motifs and elegant turtle borders woven in a striking combination of blue, green and terra cotta red.
Handsome loden green is the backdrop for this breathtaking antique Zeigler Sultanabad.
This magnificent Ziegler carpet was housed in the dining room of Sigmund Freud’s home in London.
This antique Persian carpet from Sultanabad features a classic all-over arabesque surrounded by a wide terra cotta red border and multiple sets of finely detailed guardbands.
This extraordinary antique Sultanabad relies on exquisite detail and finesse of drawing.
