Ash Grey Mamluk Rug
This ash grey Mamluk rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan from fine wool and measures 183 x 122 cm, or about 2.2 square metres. Its charcoal ash ground carries a large octagonal medallion in cream, set on a pale blue grey star shape and surrounded by small square panels in cream, tan and grey. It is double hand knotted, and our records note vegetable dyes.
The design up close
The octagon has a fine inner ring of cream and gold, with a small rosette at its centre. Around the star-shaped ground, the field is cut into square and rectangular panels. Each panel holds a small round or octagonal medallion in cream, tan, blue grey or gold, and larger round medallions sit at the top and bottom of the centre.
The border of this ash grey Mamluk rug is wide and charcoal, filled with small tan and cream leaf and vine motifs. Two narrow guard bands in beige and tan sit inside it. The palette is soft and washed, with no bright reds, so the whole rug reads as quiet from across a room. The octagon sits at the exact centre, and matching panels in each corner balance it on the diagonals. Every panel is outlined in a darker line, so the grid of squares reads clearly even from a distance.
The Mamluk design
The Mamluks ruled Egypt and Syria from 1250 to 1517, and the carpets woven in Cairo from the late 15th century, and into the 16th, are known for their kaleidoscopic designs: medallions built from octagons, stars and small geometric shapes, filling the whole rug. Weavers in Afghanistan revive these designs today, and this rug follows that pattern with its octagon and field of small panels.
How an ash grey Mamluk rug is made
The rug is double hand knotted in fine wool. Our records note vegetable dyes, and the muted tones show slight variation in shade from one panel to the next. The ground is close in tone to the charcoal border, so the panels read as one continuous field of soft colour.
Sizing your ash grey Mamluk rug
At 183 x 122 cm this ash grey Mamluk rug is a small piece of about 2.2 square metres. Its length is under two metres, so it suits a bedside, an entry or a study, where its medallion can be seen up close. Mamluk rugs bring structure and pattern without feeling busy, which makes this one a good feature for a small space. Corner to corner, it measures about 2.2 metres.
Looking after your ash grey Mamluk rug
Vacuum it on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off, so the brush does not pull at the knots. Turn it around every six to twelve months so sun and foot traffic wear it evenly. Blot spills with a clean white cloth and cold water rather than rubbing them in. When it needs a full clean, choose a cleaner who washes handmade rugs by hand.
Put a good underlay beneath it. It stops the rug sliding on timber or tiles, adds cushioning and takes some of the wear off the pile. Moths like wool in dark, quiet spots, such as the part of a rug under a sofa, so vacuum those areas often and lift the furniture now and then.
See it before you buy
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 11 am to 4:30 pm, to see this ash grey Mamluk rug in person. If you would rather judge it in your own room, with your own light and furniture, book an in-home viewing and we will bring a selection to you.
Browse more Mamluk Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Mamluk carpets.
