Antique Malayer | 196 x 130 cm | Nr. Z-4484

Antique Malayer, rust red with border and medallion

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 110 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.

At the heart of this Malayer's central field lies the symmetrical centre, also known as the medallion. The design of the field is subordinate to the medallion, giving the impression that the medallion is floating on the field.

The background of this Malayer is dark blue. The overall impression is also dominated by rust red and dark blue. The border is worked in rust red and dark blue.

Condition

This Malayer has a history. It was hand-knotted around 1910. It has been cleaned thoroughly and is in good but unrestored condition. The fringes could do with a repair. The edges are damaged in places. The pile is evenly worn. On both sides, parts of the border are missing. We have not restored this Malayer because we feel it has a special charm exactly as it is. If you would like us to, we will 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.