Antique Malayer | 193 x 136 cm | Nr. Z-3351

Geometric antique Malayer, dark blue with border

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	193 cm x 136 cm (= 2.6248 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	60.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1930
Colour	Dark blue, light red
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Malayer is the second-largest city in the province of Hamadan in western Iran and is known for its rug-knotting workshops. Malayer lies between Hamadan and Khorramabad, 380 km south-west of Tehran. The Malayer of today was founded in 1808 under the name Daulatabad, in order to bring the restless region along the Zagros Mountains under the control of the Persian state. This antique Malayer is a collector's item. It is around 90 years old, which alone makes it a truly special piece. Antique rugs like this Malayer are as sought after as ever and fetch top prices at renowned auction houses.

Pattern

The decorated surround (border) forms a wonderful contrast to the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Malayer its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the design of the room and never draws attention away from the furniture, the décor and the architectural features. It creates a pleasant atmosphere without dominating the style of the room.

The background of this Malayer is dark blue. The border is worked in dark blue and light red. The centre is light red.

Condition

You're not the first to take a liking to this Malayer. It has had owners before you who valued it and lived with it. It was hand-knotted around 1930. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. The edges are damaged in places. The pile is two-toned: about half of it is lighter, the rest more strongly coloured. We haven't restored this Malayer because we feel it has a special presence just as it is. If you'd like us to, we'll of course be happy to restore the rug for you. Either way, this Malayer will give you pleasure for decades to come.

Material

The pile of this Malayer was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a number of impressive qualities: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is naturally protected against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Malayer are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly suitable for a hard-wearing foundation.