Arhan 8-Pointed Star Carpet

Carpets made in Cairo towards the end of the Mamluk empire ( 647-914 AH/1250-1517 CE) are amongst the most coveted and famous of all oriental knotted pile carpets. The combination of their colours, and the austerity of their distinctive patterns makes them immediately recognizable and different from carpets produced in any other region or period. This carpet is known as the eight-pointed star carpet based on the spectacular kaleidoscopic ornamentation that dominates its centre. Such ornamentation has been associated with astrological or mystical beliefs, as it contains imagery related to solar discs, stars and the sky. Indeed, such carpets were often seen as reflections of the heavens. Rather unusually, the pattern on this carpet can be equally appreciated from all angles. While the finest carpets were produced during the second half of the 9th century AH/ 15th century CE, under the patronage of the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay (r. 872-902 AH/1468-96 CE), fine carpets continued to be made in Cairo during Ottoman rule.