Antique Persian Mahal Carpet 19th Century

Name: Antique Oversize Mahal Carpet 597x345cm
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1056654
Price: 12950 GBP
Availability: InStock

FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Antique Ziegler-mahal Carpet

1900

Early Antique Sultanabad Carpet

1880

Antique Ziegler Rug

1890

Antique Bidjar Rug

1880

Antique Tabriz Carpet

1920

Rare Antique Tabriz Rug

1870

Antique Tabriz Carpet

1890

Fine Persian Karaja Carpet, Circa 1880, 3.32m X 2.85m

1880

Antique Isfahan Rug

1910

A Fine Pair of Pictorial Wool Kashan Rugs

1930

Fine Antique Persian Carpet, 4.77m X 3.59m

19th Century

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectRugs
Period19th century
StylePersian
MaterialWool, Cotton
ColourTerracotta Red
MotifsFloral motifs, Central medallion, Arabesque scrolling, Multi-tiered border
SizeH 597 cm (235 in) x W 395 cm (156 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

This is an oversized hand-knotted antique Persian Mahal carpet dating from 1890, styled for an English country house. It is woven from wool and cotton with mellow natural dyes on a soft terracotta red ground, complemented by light blue and dark navy blue borders. The detailed decoration includes a complex all-over arrangement of floral motifs, a central medallion, arabesque scrolling, and a multi-tiered border, showing a decent pile overall with one or two low areas and little or no repair. Measuring 597 cm high, 395 cm wide and 1 cm deep, it provides substantial floor coverage. In a contemporary home, this large rug works well in a spacious living room, a generous hallway or a traditional study, placed directly on the floor to anchor furniture arrangements. Its traditional Persian motifs and warm colour palette complement heritage interior schemes while offering a solid, practical floor covering for everyday use.

FAQs

Mahal carpets originate from the Arak region in central Persia, woven predominantly during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They are recognized for their large-scale floral patterning, soft color palettes, and expansive dimensions designed to suit large interiors.

These carpets are hand-knotted using a wool pile spun over a durable cotton warp and weft foundation. Dyes historically derived from plant and mineral sources, such as madder root for terracotta shades and indigo for blues, provide natural color depth.

Authentic pieces exhibit a supple texture and a coarser, looser knot structure compared to refined city workshop carpets like Isfahan or Kashan. Inspection of the reverse side reveals subtle variations in weave tension and natural abrash color shifts throughout the wool.

An oversized carpet serves to anchor open-plan living rooms or formal dining spaces, defining the seating perimeter. Placing primary furniture legs directly on the rug field allows the dark outer border patterns to frame the space effectively.

Routine cleaning requires vacuuming with a suction-only setting to avoid disturbing the wool pile fibers. Spills should be blotted immediately with an absorbent dry cloth, and complete washing should be entrusted to specialist textile conservators.

Haliden Oriental Carpets

Antique Oversize Mahal Carpet 597x345cm