Sultanabad rugs and carpets

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Antique Sultanabad Rug

History

The city of Sultanabad (which is now known as Arak) was founded in 1808 to become the major center of rug production in Iran.1 Sultanabads are distinguished as the highest quality of Mahal productions manufactured in the Arak region.2 Other types of Sultanabad designs may include production from Mushkabad. Farahans and Sarouks were also made in the Arak region, though are wholly different.3

Ziegler & Co.

During the late 19th century, the Swiss-based firm of Ziegler & Co. established a manufactory whose sole objective was to produce Sultanabad rugs to meet western demands. Using western designers to modify classical Persian designs, they marked the first time westerners effected Persian design (beyond influence through market demand), In-step with the beginning of the Arts and Crafts movement, Ziegler modified designs to be larger size, along with a larger rug size to suit western room specifications.4 Araks’ palette went through a change as colors were softened in an effort to appeal to housewives of Europe and America.5

Designs

Most similar to the Sultanabads are Heriz and Serapi rugs; this similarity being attributed to the magnificent graphic character of the designs. Yet within this similarity, the line work of the Heriz/Serapis is always more curvilinear and classical. Sultanabads share with Persian rugs all-over designs of palmettes and vinescrolls, but as they use a larger suppler weave the Sultanabad designs tend to be larger as well.6

Dye

The most popular color of the Sultanabad repertoire was a deep rose red. The red dye was created by bathing wool for two days in madder and whey after which it was scoured for nearly another two days with running water.7

References

• 1,2,4,6 Nazmiyal, Jason."Sultanabad Antique Rugs and Carpets."2008.The Nazmiyal Collection. January 2008.[1].
• 1,5 Neff, Ivan C. and Carol V. Maggs. Dictionary of Oriental Rugs. London: AD. Donker LTD, 1977. ISBN: 13: 9780949937353
• 3,7 Eiland, Murray L. Oriental Rugs.Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1976.ISBN: 9780821206430