This mega-size vintage Persian Mahal has the kind of scale that can settle a large room, but it does it with a beautifully mellowed palette. Woven in the Mahal region of Persia in the early 1930s, its once stronger reds have aged into dusty and soft terracotta.
A large geometric medallion anchors the center, with angular vines, serrated leaves, palmettes, blossoms and smaller geometric floral forms scattered across the field. I especially love the dark midnight blue (appears charcoal) border on this one. It gives all the faded colors some structure and a great framework, with large-scale flowers and leafy vines running around the perimeter, hugging the rug beautifully with contrast.
The wool pile tells you exactly how this rug has lived. The field is low and worn, with areas where the foundation shows through and creates that mottled, almost washed-out appearance from a century of life. Other areas, particularly through portions of the borders, still have more meat on the bone and a generous soft wool pile. The variation is part of what makes the rug so good: you get those wonderfully faded, timeworn stretches against areas where the original drawing and color remain much stronger.
And then there is the SIZE. This is a serious floor-covering rug, made for a room that demands substantial square footage. Despite its scale and abundance of pattern, the subdued color keeps it from taking over. It will cover the floor, ground the room and give you an incredible old foundation for everything layered on top of it. It doesn’t need to compete with the furniture, art or architecture, it’ll just make all of it look better. Despite its age and scattered wear, this is a sturdy old Persian rug that can be styled in the living room or den and can handle a busy life.
Hand knotted natural vegetable dyed wool with a coarse weave, this early 1930s Mahal has nearly a century of wear, color and character worked into it. For someone who loves an old Persian rug to actually look old, this one delivers in a very big way.
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Rug Rundown…
the wool…the weave…the wear
Size: 10’10 x 17’3
Material: Vegetable dyed wool
Construction: Hand knotted
Origin: Persia
Age: 1930s
Design: Geometric floral medallion with branching vines, palmettes and floral motifs
Condition: Low and varied pile with scattered areas of wool loss to the foundation. More generous wool pile remains throughout portions of the borders. Sturdy construction and suitable for high-traffic living. Please see all photos for condition details and full character.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
:: Please consider a rug pad for this old beauty, to keep it protected and wiggle free. Click below if you want to add one at BPR and we will custom cut it to size:
Extra Extra Large Rug Pad
Check out the video below for more rug action.
:: FREE SHIPPING (USA only. CANADA $50. Int’l $150).
:: Yes, we work with the trade.
:: Please review our amazing shop policies.
:: To get inside info, sneak previews of rugs before they hit shop, and more inspo & history of old rugs, follow along on Instagram @blueparakeetrugs
How did you find BPR’s shop? If you’re purchasing, upon checkout, please leave a note and give a clue. Feel free to say anything you wish. There is a small business owner behind the scene that works old school and wants to get to know the fans and clients.
Thank you for visiting and for shopping small at BPR.