Megerian Brothers

Egyptian Sultanabad Design Carpet

Modern, circa 1990

310 x 442 cm

In Egypt the Mamluk dynasty is known for it’s exceptional and highly prized court carpets that were exported to Europe in the 16th century, principally to Italy. (Many now being in the most prestigous museum and private collections in the world.) After being overtaken by the Ottoman Turks the Mamluk weavers began to produce Royal Court quality carpets for the reigning Sultans and for functions of the Ottoman Court. A distinctive floral motif in these so-called Carine carpets , the “saz” leaf was a principal defining characteristic, along with carnations, poppies ,tulips, and occasional “çintamani” motifs, all ubiquitous elements in the Ottoman court’s contemporary design repertoire.

The flowering of the late 20th century revival of carpet weaving in the Orient saw an expansion in areas of productions that were not traditional centers of pre-modern commercial activity, Egypt being one of them. Fine carpet producers and dealers for generations, the New York based Megarian Brothers set up looms and began producing in the areas of Cairo in the early 1990’s. Their particular accomplishment being a heavy weight, compacted, durable structured carpet with generally curvilinear Persian inspired floral designs. Muted pastel colors are employed in order to satisfy the demand of the contemporary interior design fashion.