Ardabil Rugs: Mahi Ardabil Rug

Mahi Rug
6'5 x 9'10
Product Type: Original,
One-of-a-kind
Size (ft.): 6'5 x 9'10
Size (cm.): 195 x 300
Colors: Dark Salmon, Blue-Navy
Woven: Hand knotted
Foundation: Cotton
Pile: Wool/Silk
Style: Mahi
Category: City
Origin: Ardabil Persian Rug
Age: Aged [20-30 years]
Condition: Excellent
KPSI: 82 Knotting Time: 124 days 1178 hours
SKU #: 1700340207

About Mahi Rugs
The Mahi, from the city of Tabriz, is one of the most elegant carpets in the world. It shows very small silk-lined fish, almost a paisley pattern, scattered neatly throughout the many borders and medallions of the carpet. The tiny flowers and border details are also outlined in silk, and the wool is usually of the finest 'Kurk'. The magic of a Mahi, especially in the higher KPSI, is in the subtle color ranges of each piece, from beiges to brown, black or navy to grey, and every shade of green. This incredible symphony of color in each carpet allows it to blend easily into the the most challenging interior, giving the Mahi its nickname of 'the Designer's carpet'. They do not show their true beauty on the internet, perhaps due to the extremely small scale of the design.

History & Construction
This historic region of Iran, as well as Turkey and Uzbekistan, have had the most significant influence on the development of the present-day carpet industry. Their bold style of weaving originates partly from Mongols who invaded Iran in the 13th century, settling there in the north-west. In these rugged mountains these tough nomads of both sexes have the talent and skill to weave dramatic, high-quality carpets by hand, with no use of modern technology whatever. In many cases, rug weaving is the family's main source of income. They trade their produce with local merchants in nearby cities for the staples and necessities of life. A few of the regions and towns included in this region are Ardabil, Bakhshaish, Gharadjeh (Gharabagh), Goravan, Heriz, Mehriban, Sarab, and Shahsavan. Weavers of these regions usually use their own symmetrical Turkish double-knotting style, which tends to be dense and tightly packed. The asymmetrical Persian knot can also be seen in cities such as Ardabil. The pile of these rugs is thick, lustrous wool, handspun from local sheep, with strong cotton as the material of choice for the foundation. However, wool and goat hair can also be seen as the base of some Turkish tribal rugs. In a few regions such as Ardabil, silk is blended in with the wool pile to produce a splendid carpet. Natural vegetable and root dyes are mainly used for the coloring. These rugs are among the most sturdy and hardwearing, still using the weaving techniques employed thousands of years ago.

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.