Ziegler designs have their roots in the carpets commissioned around Sultanabad in Persia during the late nineteenth century. The company worked with existing weaving networks to supply the growing European market, drawing on Persian floral patterns. This Afghan Ziegler runner carries that design influence in its generously spaced ornament and restrained contrasts. The flowers are decorative without becoming rigidly formal, and the light background remains an important part of the pattern.
This runner measures just over three metres, giving its floral drawing room to develop. Seen down a hallway, the red edges would define the route through the space while the ivory centre keeps the floor looking light. This runner would also work along the side of a bed, where the smaller details can be appreciated more closely. Warm floorboards, plain walls and a few red or faded pink accents would bring out its colours without requiring an elaborate surrounding scheme.
The rose-red border gives this Afghan Zeigler runner a firm outline around a much quieter ivory field. Pale flowers repeat along the sides, while the centre is filled with smaller blooms, leaves and loosely curling stems. Red appears sparingly within this runner’s field, picking out individual details and linking them to the surround. Muted beige and grey-green soften the drawing. There is enough space between the motifs to follow their shapes, an appealing quality in a runner where dense ornament can easily overwhelm a narrow width.