Turquoise Afghan Mamluk Rug
This turquoise Afghan Mamluk rug was hand knotted in Afghanistan in lamb’s wool and measures 213 x 156 cm. Its turquoise field holds a large central medallion in red-brown, with a navy star at its heart. The border is blue-grey with a thin turquoise outer edge, so the rug reads cool overall, with red-brown accents at the centre and ends.
The design of this turquoise Afghan Mamluk rug
The central medallion is a red-brown star-shaped outline around an octagon, with a navy star at its centre. Red-brown rosettes with cream and gold centres sit at the top and bottom of the field, and smaller orange rosettes line both sides of the medallion. Between them the turquoise ground carries fine geometric motifs in red, cream and dark blue, so the field reads as one soft texture from across the room.
On this turquoise Afghan Mamluk rug, the outer border is the most unusual part. A band of dusty blue-grey carries small brown and gold motifs, with a thin turquoise line at the outer edge. Inside it runs a narrow band of red zigzags, which frames the field and ties the warm and cool colours together. Fringe in red, blue and cream finishes the top and bottom ends.
Smaller octagons and stars in red and orange repeat across the field, so the pattern never settles into one large shape. Tiny cream and orange dots fill the gaps between the larger motifs, which keeps the turquoise from looking flat.
Where Mamluk rugs come from
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. Their medallions are built from octagons and stars that fill the whole rug. Weavers in Afghanistan revive these designs today, and this turquoise Afghan Mamluk rug follows that tradition.
How it is made
This turquoise Afghan Mamluk rug is hand knotted in Afghanistan from lamb’s wool. Each knot is tied by hand on a loom, and the medallion is built up one row at a time, so its edges show slight variation rather than the clean line of a printed pattern. The medallion and the field are worked in the same knots, so the colours meet at the edges as the weaver placed them.
Sizing it for your room
At 213 x 156 cm this turquoise Afghan Mamluk rug covers about 3.3 square metres. It is sized for a seating group rather than a dining table. Set it so the front legs of a sofa and two armchairs rest on it around a coffee table, with the medallion in the middle of the group. Neutral walls and timber floors suit its red-brown centre and blue-grey border.
Looking after your 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 turquoise Afghan 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.
