Mughal Lattice Hand Knotted Wool Rug, Gold and Teal Floral

This hand knotted wool area rug sets a Mughal-inspired floral lattice in deep teal and rust against a warm saffron gold ground. Every knot is tied by hand onto a cotton foundation, one row at a time, which is why the pattern holds its definition from edge to edge and why the rug will still be here in fifty years. It is a piece you buy once.

Why this construction

Hand knotting is the oldest and most durable rug-making method there is. The weaver ties individual wool knots around a cotton warp stretched on the loom, row by row, then beats each row down and clips the pile by hand. Nothing is glued. There is no latex, no scrim, no backing cloth — the structure of the rug is the knots, which is why you can see the pattern mirrored on the reverse and why the fringe is the warp itself rather than something sewn on.

This matters in use. A hand knotted rug has no adhesive layer to dry out and crumble, so it does not delaminate or start shedding backing after a decade. It can be professionally washed as many times as it needs, repaired and re-fringed, and it holds resale value.

Materials and craftsmanship

The pile is hand-spun wool, dyed in small batches before weaving. Hand-spun yarn takes dye unevenly at a microscopic level, which is what produces the gentle tonal movement across the gold ground — a quality that machine-spun yarn cannot reproduce. The foundation is cotton warp and weft, chosen because it stays dimensionally stable over decades.

The rug is woven in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, the carpet belt of India, where our family has been weaving for three generations. Weaving is followed by hand clipping, washing, stretching, and finishing of the selvedges and fringe. Because the wool is dyed in small lots, colour varies slightly between production runs — that variation is the signature of hand work, not a flaw.

Specifications

Styling and placement

The saffron ground reads warm under both daylight and lamplight, which makes this a natural fit for living rooms and bedrooms with wood or neutral stone floors. The teal border gives you a ready-made accent colour to pull into cushions, a velvet chair or ceramics.

It sits comfortably in traditional, Arts and Crafts, bohemian and transitional interiors, and works as a deliberate pattern anchor in an otherwise restrained room. For a standard three-seat sofa layout, 8 x 10 ft lets the front legs of all seating sit on the rug. A queen bed wants 8 x 10 ft; a king bed wants 9 x 12 ft. For a six-seat dining table, choose 8 x 10 ft so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.

Care, variation and longevity

Hand knotted rugs shed very little — there is no cut backing fibre to work loose, so what you see in the first few weeks is minimal and settles quickly. Vacuum with suction only, beater bar off, and never run a vacuum over the fringe.

Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing. Professional washing every three to five years is enough; hand knotted rugs tolerate proper washing far better than tufted ones and often look better afterwards. Rotate twice a year so wear and sun exposure stay even.

Because everything is dyed and knotted by hand, allow a colour variation tolerance between batches and a size tolerance of up to 2%. A rug pad is recommended to reduce slip, add cushioning and slow wear at the foundation. With a pad and reasonable care, expect fifty years or more of use.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to make?

Production takes 15 to 20 days from order, because each rug is knotted to order rather than pulled from stock. Shipping time is added on top of that and depends on your destination.

How can I tell this is genuinely hand knotted?

Turn it over. A hand knotted rug shows the pattern clearly on the reverse in individual knot rows, with no backing cloth or latex covering it, and the fringe is a continuation of the warp threads rather than a strip sewn on.

Will this rug shed?

Very little. Unlike tufted rugs there is no loose backing fibre, so any shedding is limited to a small amount of surface wool in the first few weeks and stops after that.

Is it safe with pets and children?

Yes. It is wool on a cotton foundation with no adhesives or synthetic backing. Wool is naturally flame retardant and soil resistant, and a hand knotted surface has no loops for claws to pull.

Does the rug come with a pad?

No, a pad is sold separately. We recommend one on hard floors to reduce slip and protect the foundation from abrasion.

Can I order a custom size?

Yes. We weave custom sizes and can adjust the scale of the lattice to suit your room. Message us with your dimensions and we will quote within two business days.

Will the colours match what I see on screen?

Closely, but not exactly. Screens vary and the wool is dyed in small batches, so expect a slight shift in tone. We send real photographs of your rug before dispatch if you ask.

Why does a hand knotted rug cost more than a tufted one?

Time. A tufted rug of this size takes a few weeks; a hand knotted one takes months, because every knot is tied individually by hand. You are paying for a rug that lasts generations and can be repaired, rather than one built for a decade.

Need a size that isn't listed, or this design in a different colourway? Message us with your room dimensions and we will come back with a quote and a colour layout.