A rare Ziegler Mahal carpet
Persian, late 19th century.
12ft 4in x 8ft : 376cm x 244cm
In 1876, the Manchester-based Swiss firm of Ziegler and Co. became the first European concern to establish their own looms in Sultanabad, Persia, for the production of carpets specifically to the Western markets. These were retailed by the new department stores in London, Liberty's and Harvey Nicholls.
The designs used were mainly repeated all-over patterns, though Ziegler used principles of architectural proportions to make the motifs larger as in the west, one would be sitting on furniture off the floor whereas in the orient sitting on the floor requires smaller patterns. The designs were also flat two dimensional as in the Arts & Crafts carpets which William Morris was creating at the same time, indeed it is known that Morris was close to Ziegler & Co., as he advised the V & A museum on the purchase of the Ardabil carpet from them.
Of special note is the design for this carpet has been applied to a rare old grey background.
Literature: Arto Keshishian, Ziegler and Their Carpets, 1995
