Three-Color Cairene Mamluk Carpet with Central Octagon and Cartouche Border

This carpet’s composition is based on the large octagon shape at its center. Surrounding the octagon are compartments of geometric and abstract designs. The colors are limited to red and light tones of blue and green. Because carpets such as this were exported through Damascus, Syria, they have often been mislabeled as Damascus carpets. However, technical analysis has revealed that carpets made in Cairo, Egypt, like this one, have their own characteristic yarn, dye, and knotting techniques.