Sultanabad Rugs, Part 2

Ivory Sultanabads often possess a charming naiveté, along with a palette based in undyed sheep's wool, in hues of ivory, cream and beige. Often with lattice works of vinery and flowerheads in soft pastels, a secondary drama of shading is played out in marvelous color striations otherwise known as ‘abrash'. The finest and hardest to find of both the ivory ground pieces, and the entire Sultanabad group use allover designs of spaciously placed, extremely overscale blossoms, asymmetrically arranged across a sparsely adorned field.

Antique Oriental Sultanabad Carpet, 10ft 10in x 17ft 2in, Circa 1900
A captivating collection of deeply harmonious hues brings an elevated sense of artistry to this tour-de-force antique Persian Sultanabad carpet. Its dazzling array of warm, joyful colors include naturally dyed apricot, cobalt blue, apple green, persimmon and sky blue. This exquisite palette is perfectly paired with a cool ivory field to allow each tone to be fully experienced. A compelling, balanced allover design adds welcome structure to this virtuoso display, augmented by the crisp clarity that its very fine weave makes possible. This extremely noteworthy oversize Oriental carpet came to us in virtually perfect, heavy-pile condition.

In the late 1870s, a new style of Sultanabad was developed as a result of venture capital money invested by Ziegler & Co. of Manchester, England, which subsidized one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces particularly for export to England and France. This resulted in the noted "Ziegler Sultanabad" style. Distinguished by a significantly finer weave and thinner fabric, and stylish, allover patterns in delicate color, Zieglers met with great success in Europe, immediately recognized by the more decoratively inclined Western markets. Although based on classical Persian patterns, Zieglers offer delightfully inspired English translations, often to impressive overscale proportions.

Zieglers are beloved among many fine interior designers and art lovers for their marriage of causal motifs and superlative craftsmanship. Yet, another school among connoisseurs prefers the more loosely woven, heavier piled "village" Sultanabads for their highly abstracted, naive renditions of both tribal motifs and traditional Persian Court and Garden designs.

Exemplary Sultanabad carpets are preferred by many for their originality and inspired artistry, and have forged an important niche in today's decorative market for their compatibility and versatility with the finest interiors and other works of art. Because of their rarity, desirability and innovative spirit, the best 19th-century and turn-of-the-20th-century pieces will continue to grow as art investments for many decades to come.