79524 Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug, 08'08 x 12'05.
The Imperial Court: A Late 19th Century Persian Sultanabad Masterpiece of Grandeur
This hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sultanabad rug from the late 19th century embodies the cultivated grandeur of Persia’s great decorative arts renaissance, a period when Sultanabad weavers produced carpets expressly for aristocratic residences and European salons. Renowned for their generous proportions, balanced ornamentation, and stately presence, Sultanabad rugs were designed to command space with confidence rather than excess. This extraordinary masterpiece carries that legacy with authority, offering a sense of permanence and prestige that only true antique court carpets possess.
The exceptional composition is anchored by a richly articulated field of interconnected floral palmettes, vinery, and stylized blossoms arranged in a disciplined yet fluid lattice. Unlike the rigid symmetry of formal court medallion rugs, the design unfolds organically, allowing the iconic motifs to breathe and repeat with quiet rhythm. This approach—distinctive to Sultanabad weaving—creates a tableau-like visual depth, where the eye travels effortlessly across layers of ornament, discovering subtle variations that reveal the hand of the weaver rather than mechanical repetition.
Encasing the field, the broad, boldly drawn border introduces a dynamic counterpoint, populated with oversized rosettes, floral sprays, and scrolling forms that reinforce the rug’s architectural presence. The interplay between the commanding border and the densely articulated interior is a hallmark of late 19th-century Sultanabad design, striking a rare balance between opulence and restraint. Time has further refined the palette, lending the surface a softened, dignified patina that elevates the composition into something quietly monumental.
In an interior, this Sultanabad functions as both foundation and focal point—an heirloom textile that grounds grand traditional spaces while integrating seamlessly into layered European, English country house, or refined interiors. Its scale, history, and unmistakable gravitas speak to collectors who value authenticity over trend and legacy over novelty. This is not merely an exquisite work of art, but a cultural artifact—one that transforms a room into a statement of cultivated taste, discernment, and enduring status.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in Iran.
- Measures: 08'08 x 12'05.
- Pile Height: 0.21 of an inch.
- Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.
