Arak Rugs
Arak, historically Sultanabad, in central Persia gave the trade its most decorator-friendly rugs: roomy all-over designs, gentle reds and ivories, an easy, unforced elegance.
Vintage Mahal and Sultanabad pieces from here settle a living room without ever shouting. Each one is original and restored by hand.
Arak: generous scale and gentle colour from central Iran
Arak, formerly Sultanabad, is the market centre for a large weaving region in central Iran, and carpets sold under its name share a family character with Mahal weaving from the same area. The drawing tends to be open and large in scale, the palettes soft, and the construction sturdy village work rather than fine workshop knotting.
These are practical, good looking carpets that suit real rooms, and they age particularly gracefully.
What to look for
- Drawing: large scale all over patterns and open medallions.
- Colour: soft rust, camel, ivory, muted blue and gold.
- Weave: firm village construction on cotton.
- Sizes: mid to large, with good availability in room sizes.
Where they work
An Arak carpet is a good default for a main living space. The scale of the drawing means it does not look fussy in a big room, and the soft palette means it will not dictate a colour scheme. They are a sensible choice when you want a proper hand knotted Persian floor but do not want the room to become about the rug.
How they age
Softly. The reds open towards terracotta and rose, the golds towards straw, and the ivories warm. Because the weave is robust, wear tends to show as a general softening of the surface rather than as thin patches.
Arak rug questions, answered
How is Arak different from Mahal?
They come from the same region and are closely related. In practice the names are often used interchangeably in the trade, with Mahal tending to describe the more openly drawn village pieces.
Are they hard wearing?
Yes. Village construction and good local wool make these carpets very serviceable, which is why so many survive from the early twentieth century.
Do they suit modern rooms?
Particularly well. The soft palette and large scale drawing are exactly what tends to work under contemporary furniture.
Choosing your Arak
Take the size and the ground tone first. Every piece here is a single carpet with its own history.