A vibrant hand-knotted wool rug in the Mamluk design, a pattern rooted in 15th–16th century Cairo. On a deep red field sits a large octagonal medallion with a sky-blue star surround and an orange striped ring, flanked by rosettes, cartouches and green roundels. A wide light-blue border with small floral sprigs frames the design. The wool shows natural abrash, and both ends have multicoloured wrapped fringes. From my father's large carpet collection, which I inherited. Stored until now.