Sultanabad Rugs, Part 1

Sultanabad carpets from the 19th century and turn of the 20th century have become perhaps the most desirable among Persian village weavings, as they appeal strongly to both connoisseurs and interior designers. These two important groups of buyers are attracted to them as outstanding examples of casual, surprisingly contemporary designs and for their sophisticated, yet often whimsical, highly decorative aesthetic. As a result, the best antique examples have become very difficult to find in the international market.

Often the finest in the antique Sultanabad style render spacious, very unique variations upon classical Persian allover patterns, such as the Herati (repeated diamond and curling leaf), the Mina Khani (repeated circular flowerhead) and Harshang (highly stylized dragon and blossom), often in subtle, glowing pastels and earth tones. Finally, a small number of pieces can be found that employ wonderfully detailed renditions of the beloved Mustafvai (stylized “Garden of Paradise”) motif. Most Sultanabads feature these flowing, allover motifs, while a small number present the central medallion format, seen often in other Persian carpet styles.

The carpets from Sultanabad were a product of the cottage industry in and around this Northwest Persian village and were often produced on the family level. Therefore, they usually use a moderate weave, and somewhat thicker pile, similar to tribal and nomadic rugs. Nevertheless, they have now taken an equal seat beside the highly reputed and more finely knotted Ferahan and Mahajiran Sarouk styles from this same Arak district.

An even more exclusive class in the Sultanabad style, referred to as the “Ivory Sultanabads” for their glowing ivory to beige grounds, are now considered to be among the most highly desired carpets on the international market with good reason, for in their finest examples, their visual impact of dramatically drawn motifs against the lighter base is often beyond compare. Nineteenth-century Ivory Sultanabads are found mostly in the 9ft x 12ft to 10ft 6in x 14ft size, and larger examples create quite a stir if they are beautifully conceived and in good floor condition.