Mamluk Carpets

Mamluk inspired carpets carry a vast culture of Middle Eastern designs. The Mamluk people arrived to Egypt during the thirteenth century to work as slave soldiers and established the Mamluk Sultanate; a ruling empire in their new home.  Their carpet weaving tradition led them to develop a thriving rug weaving emporium during the last years of the fifteenth century and until the mid–sixteenth century. Cairo, Egypt`s capital, became a well-respected carpet weaving center, even when the Ottomans took over Egypt, rug production continued. Mamluk`s carpet weaving art influenced Ottoman`s decoration and manufacturing method. Rug production was commissioned from the Mamluk`s workshops of Cairo, this explains how Mamluk rugs are closely related to Turkish carpets.

Their exceptional quality defied the passage of time allowing us to admire these antique pieces in museums, mosques, and carpet collections. The Mamluk style carpets are also found in European works of art, particularly in Carpaccio’s paintings.

The designs of Mamluk style carpets are characterized by a complex pattern formed by a large central medallion surrounded by intersecting Islamic geometric motifs, forming a fractal figure. Mamluk are also distinguished by their fine weave, lustrous wool and limited palette dominated by soft hues of greens, yellows and reds.  Transitional versions have more freedom when it comes to colors and material.  For those who prefer an original take on the sultan designed rugs we can find sari silk and oxidized wool, overdyed, whitewashed or undyed Mamluks.

They are so fine that look like tapestries for the floor and they have the power of creating a warm and elegant ambiance.