$3,600
The word Mahal is a term invented by European merchants to encompass the mostly similar carpets of Arak, Sultanabad and surrounding areas. This one has the double, blue-dyed cotton weft and medium dense knotting typical of these NW Persian country weaves.
A Fantastic roomsized Mahal with full thick luxe pile and lightly faded dyes. A rug for the century.
In stock
If you would like to see a particular product in person through our Bangalow store, please contact us in advance so we can be of the best assistance.
hello@therugshop.com.au / 02 6687 2424
Free Shipping within Australia.
Your rug will be shipped within 1-3 business days and should arrive within 3-5 business days from the ship date. Multiple items within the same order may not arrive together.
When your order is processed, you will receive an email containing a tracking number and dispatch confirmation.
Domestic shipping we use TNT express couriers & Aus post.
International shipping we use INTERPARCEL.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are considering a return. Buyer is responsible for return postage cost. Any returns must be unused and in original of when purchased.
No returns on our “Clearance” rugs or any rugs on sale.
The Mahal Persian Rug is a triumph of Persian village weaving — grand in scale, generous in spirit, and radiant in texture. Originating from the Arak region of central Persia, Mahals have long been celebrated for their expansive floral fields, flowing geometry, and superbly soft wool. This particular Mahal Persian Rug, woven in the 1980s, is a magnificent example: very large in size, with fantastic proportions and a luxuriously thick pile that speaks of quality and endurance.
At The Rug Shop, we regard the Mahal Persian Rug as one of the great achievements of Persian textile art. It is the point where craftsmanship meets comfort, where centuries of design tradition merge seamlessly with the needs of modern life.
The city of Arak, once known as Sultanabad, was a major centre of rug production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The village of Mahal, just beyond its borders, developed its own distinctive style — freer, bolder, and more expressive than the finely drawn court carpets of Tabriz or Isfahan. The Mahal Persian Rug reflects this independence of spirit. Its designs, though rooted in classical Persian patterns, often have a more relaxed rhythm, a painterly quality that reveals the hand of the weaver.
Each Mahal Persian Rug was woven in a family home rather than a workshop. The result is individuality within tradition — a rug that carries the precision of Persian design but the soul of village life.
The field of a Mahal Persian Rug is where the weaver’s creativity shines. Large-scale medallions, sweeping vines, and palmette motifs unfold across the surface with graceful assurance. The balance of the composition — between the central medallion, the surrounding field, and the border — reflects a sophisticated understanding of proportion.
While red fields are common, a truly remarkable Mahal Persian Rug often departs from expectation. In this example, the interplay of colour is exquisite — natural madder reds, soft blues, and subtle creams that evoke the tones of aged parchment and garden earth. Every hue is born from natural dye, giving the surface a deep, organic warmth. Over time, these colours mellow into harmony, their contrasts softened by light and use.
The feel of a Mahal Persian Rug is unmistakable. The wool, drawn from Persian highland sheep, is full of natural lanolin, giving it a gentle sheen and an almost velvet touch. The pile on this piece is superb — thick, dense, and deeply cushioned underfoot. In the 1980s, when this rug was woven, the tradition of using hand-spun wool and natural dyes was still strong in the region, and it shows.
The foundation is cotton, giving strength and stability, while the knotting — using the Persian asymmetrical knot — allows for precision in line and curve. The knot density is medium, typical of village rugs, striking the perfect balance between clarity of design and structural durability.
The result is a Mahal Persian Rug of great presence: not only visually commanding but physically substantial. It feels alive, full of life and warmth.
One of the great joys of a Mahal Persian Rug is its longevity. The wool wears beautifully, developing a patina that softens and enriches the colours over decades of use. The scale of this piece — large and perfectly proportioned — makes it ideal for generous spaces, where its design can be appreciated in full.
These rugs were made to be lived with, to be part of daily life in Persian homes. They are not fragile artefacts but living textiles, built to endure and to age gracefully. With care, a Mahal Persian Rug can serve many generations, each one adding to its history and beauty.
The motifs found in Mahal Persian Rugs often carry echoes of ancient Persian symbolism. The palmette represents immortality, the cypress tree endurance, and the lotus renewal. The arrangement of these motifs into flowing symmetry mirrors the Persian garden — a vision of paradise on earth.
In this way, the Mahal Persian Rug is more than decoration. It is a woven reflection of a world-view — a belief in harmony between nature, geometry, and spirit. Every curve of the vine and every repeat of the blossom is a quiet act of devotion to that ideal.
This large, luxurious Mahal Persian Rug from the 1980s is a testament to the enduring strength of Persian craftsmanship. Its fine wool, deep pile, and masterful proportions mark it as a superior example of village weaving at its peak.
At The Rug Shop, we are proud to present it as both art and heirloom — a rug that invites touch as much as admiration. To stand upon it is to stand in a lineage stretching back centuries, a living continuity of design, culture, and beauty.
The Mahal Persian Rug remains, as it always has been, a symbol of generosity and refinement — the spirit of Persia woven into wool and time.
Can I get the same rug in a different size?
Each of our rugs is an individual, hand made work of art because of that it is not possible for us to have duplicates in different sizes.
How are your rugs made?
All of our rugs are 100% Handmade on a loom. We have created a close relationship with all of the craftspeople who make our rugs which allows us to get the highest quality rugs directly from the people who made them.
Are your rugs new/used?
We offer a variety of both new and used Persian rugs from many areas including Persia, Turkey, and Morocco see below for more info on locations.
NEW: We support over 30 families in Afghanistan who produce the highest quality Persian rugs.
OLD ANTIQUE VINTAGE: We source our used rugs from village and tribal families at source. As well as attend worldwide auctions. We have formed relationships with Persian rug collectors that allow us to get incredible pieces that are not normally on the market.
Can I try before i buy?
We have a “try before you buy” system for approved customers.
Where are your rugs from?
Afghanistan, Persia, Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Morocco etc.
