The design is famous due to the Persian prime minister during the late 19th Century commissioned artisans to create a scrolling spiralling version of the ‘Gol Farang’ (which is a foreign flower; inspired by French and English florals) pattern that was immensely popular at the time. As Ziegler & Co had inspired and created decorative floral carpets being woven in Sultanabad in the late 19th century other workshops locally followed suit and these designs were made in competition.
Mahal carpets were produced in Sultanabad, Persia which is now Arak in the center of Iran. Mahal and Sultanabad rugs were made in the same area as the earliest Fereghans and Sarouks, but they are very different in form and structure. Floral motifs and overall designs of vine scrolls and palmettes remain consistent with the influences of western color palettes and are all characteristics of Ziegler carpets.
