Mahal carpets are hand-knotted and originated in the region of Arak in west-central Iran. They are named after the city of Mahallat, which was a major centre of carpet production in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The history of Mahal carpets dates back to the Safavid dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1501 to 1736. During this time, the art of carpet weaving flourished in Iran, and many of the techniques and designs that are still used in carpet production today were developed.

In the 19th century, the city of Mahallat emerged as a major centre of carpet production. Mahal carpets were known for their high quality and durability, as well as their distinctive designs, which often featured floral motifs and intricate medallions.

Mahal carpets played an important role in the development of the Persian carpet industry. In the early 20th century, however, the production of Mahal carpets more...

19 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Markazi Mahal rug, knotted wool. Central diamond medallion…

Markazi Mahal Wool Rug with Diamond Medallion and Lilies

Markazi Mahal rug, knotted wool. Central diamond medallion surrounded by a field of sprawling lilies on a red ground with spandrels and repeating palmette border to match. 392 x 284 cm

An Indian 'Mahal' 19th century style hand woven rug. Having…

19th Century Indian Mahal Hand Woven Rug with Floral Motifs

An Indian 'Mahal' 19th century style hand woven rug. Having muted dark green tones of floral motifs. Originally retailed by 'Jenny Jones Rugs'. 368 cm x 448 cm

A knotted Chahar Mahal region rug, west Iran, circa 1930, with…

Chahar Mahal Rug, West Iran, 1930: Floral Trellis Design

A knotted Chahar Mahal region rug, west Iran, circa 1930, with a cotton warp and weft and wool pile, featuring a lozenge in maroon, cream, peach and blue colours upon a navy field, with meandering maroon spandrels and a main floral border with running…

Two Australiana timber serving trays, together with an Indian…

Australiana Timber Trays and Taj Mahal Plaque Set

Two Australiana timber serving trays, together with an Indian plaque of the Taj Mahal, 20th century, (3 items), the trays 51 cm across the handles

Markazi Mahal rug, hand knotted wool, central bursting Medalion…

Markazi Mahal Hand Knotted Wool Rug - Bursting Medallion

Markazi Mahal rug, hand knotted wool, central bursting Medalion with an, open field of scrolling Lilies and Sickle leaves, on a red ground, repeating border to match, 316 x 224 cm

an Indian painted ivory double portrait of a Regal couple, mid…

Regal Couple in Ivory Frame with Taj Mahal Background

an Indian painted ivory double portrait of a Regal couple, mid 20th century, half length gouache and jewelled portraits with gilt enrichments, depicting the couple on thrones before a window revealing gardens and the Taj Mahal, 32 x 39.5 cm frame

Pair of Moghul miniatures on ivory of Shah Jehan and Mumtad…

Moghul Miniatures: Shah Jehan and Mumtad Mahal

Pair of Moghul miniatures on ivory of Shah Jehan and Mumtad Mahal, oval, 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm

Markazi Mahal rug, central bursting medallion surrounded by…

Markazi Mahal Rug with Bursting Medallion and Lilies

Markazi Mahal rug, central bursting medallion surrounded by Lilies and Sickle leaves with a repeating border to match, 408 x 302 cm

An antique carved mother of pearl shell, and a decorative…

Antique Mother of Pearl Carving and Decorative Plaque

An antique carved mother of pearl shell, and a decorative plaque, the shell late 19th/early 20th century, probably carved in Jerusalem or Bethlehem, the shell carved in low relief to the centre with the shepherds adoring the infant Christ, the borders…

Antique finely knotted wool pile Persian Mahal rug early 20th…

Early 20th Century Persian Mahal Rug

Antique finely knotted wool pile Persian Mahal rug early 20th century

Anglo-Indian miniature painting of the Taj Mahal on ivory in…

Anglo-Indian Taj Mahal Miniature Painting in Carved Frame

Anglo-Indian miniature painting of the Taj Mahal on ivory in original carved frame, early to mid 19th century, 7 x 8 cm overall

A Mahal carpet, West Persia, late 19th century, of central…

West Persian Mahal Carpet, Late 19th Century

A Mahal carpet, West Persia, late 19th century, of central medallion design on red blue and cream ground, Cadrys carpet gallery label verso 289 cm width x 450 cm depth

An antique sterling silver & rose gold paste gemstone locket…

Sterling Silver Locket with Taj Mahal Miniature

An antique sterling silver & rose gold paste gemstone locket with a Minature of the Taj Mahal on mother of pearl, diameter 10 cm

Antique gilt framed miniature of the Taj Mahal on mother of…

Gilt-framed Taj Mahal Miniature on Mother of Pearl

Antique gilt framed miniature of the Taj Mahal on mother of pearl, 4 cm, wide

A tribal Persian rug from Chahar Mahal Bakhtiagui 202 x 156 cm

Tribal Persian Rug from Chahar Mahal Bakhtiagui

A tribal Persian rug from Chahar Mahal Bakhtiagui 202 x 156 cm

A Mahal carpet, early 20th century, 370 x 285 cm

Early 20th Century Mahal Carpet, 370 x 285 cm

A Mahal carpet, early 20th century, 370 x 285 cm

A Baktiari rug, Chahar Mahal region, west Persia, circa 1930,…

Baktiari Rug, Chahar Mahal, West Persia, Circa 1930

A Baktiari rug, Chahar Mahal region, west Persia, circa 1930, 200 cm x 136 cm

A Persian Mahal woollen rug, with a central red medallion upon…

Persian Mahal Wool Rug with Geometric Floral Motifs

A Persian Mahal woollen rug, with a central red medallion upon a patterned navy ground well populated with geometric floral, tree of life and fountain motifs, similarly embellished to the cream spandrels and with a boldly geometric red border with star…

Genuine hand knotted Mahal Persian carpet handmade in Iran,…

Authentic Handmade Mahal Persian Carpet, 360 x 250 cm

Genuine hand knotted Mahal Persian carpet handmade in Iran, 100% wool pile on cotton base, 360 x 250 cm