Mahal

The Mahals and hand-woven in the region known as the Mahallat, near the provincial capital of Arak Markad, which sits west-central Iran. The history of this region and for indoor and very rich weaving industry dates back many centuries. The carpets usually employ the famous drawing ‘of Herati’. This is an elegant all-over design that meets modern or traditional interiors. The color scheme using beige and chocolate or terra cotta and beige are particularly popular with designers.
History & Construction
A rug-producing district is very important in Iran, Arak (formerly known as Sultanabad) and located in northwest central Iran, south of the province of Zanjan Province Markad. Some of these areas include Mahallat, and Ferahan Lylyan and some of the towns and villages most prominent are: Malayer, Meshkabad, Mirabad, Seraband, Sarough, Jozani, with many small Kurdish villages and factories. All these villages produce carpets that are introduced in Arak. There were strong influences on Kurdish weaving their way of Turkey and some traces of the ascendant can also be seen. Arak was in the Manchester firm of Ziegler first opened an office in 1883. Originally an importer, the company soon realized the financial benefits of starting a carpet factory in this region to produce the items to be introduced in Europe and USA. It is estimated that by the turn of the century, Ziegler controlled over 2,500 frames in this district. The Mahallat produces very high quality Sarough Mahal and also produces exquisite pieces. Lylyans tends to see more tribal rugs made in as many smaller villages. Ferahans Serabands and are very recognizable by their high quality fabrics and rich history. Mirabad also produces a very high quality carpets known as the MIR. The material used for the pile and usually wool, dyes that are mainly vegetables. The rugs are woven using the Persian asymmetrical knot. Although not rare in older or antique pieces, silk is rarely used. In rare cases the cover has a lot of wool and silk. Cotton, or more rarely of goat hair, and used for the foundation and the pile is hand-spun from the weaver’s own sheep.

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