In the 19th century, the Mahal, or Sultanabad region was the center of European influence over carpet weaving in Persia, most famously evidenced by the British firm, Ziegler & Company’s involvement in designing carpets for export to the West.

This particular rug features a pattern referred to as “Mustafi” after a 19th century Persian prime minister who commissioned artisans to create this geometrized version of the “gol farang” (foreign flower; inspired by French and English florals) pattern that came into vogue at the turn of the 20th century, when this rug was woven.