Universe – The World’s Most Expensive Carpet
Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of Persia’s most distinguished work of art, and this carpet would definitely put shame Aladdin’s magic carpet. The most expensive carpet in the world is showcased for sale at the 9th International Furniture and Design Exhibition (INFDEX 2010) at the Doha Exhibition Centre.
Named Universe, the Turkish-made carpet is worth a staggering $3.2 million and was made by LoomArt, the same carpet and textile company which brought to Doha the biggest carpet in the world during the First Made in Turkey Exhibition last year. The carpet portrays 200 animals, the moon, the sun and symbols of the 12 months, vividly depicted in 50 different colours by three master weavers over four and a half years. Another highlight of the carpet is that it is made entirely of 24-karat pure gold.
Talking about this expensive carpet, Bulent Durmaz, manager of LoomArt said: We have incorporate 1kg of gold in the carpet which makes it a big challenge to make. Another reason why this carpet is very expensive is that this is the only carpet in the world that has been completed with 17,800,000 double knots.
Qatar is the first country where Universe was showcased. Loom Art will now take it to other cities and countries including the UAE, US, Italy and Japan. Last year, LoomArt sold the world biggest carpet measuring 86 sq m and weighing 400kg with 46 million knots which took 14 weavers four years to weave to the monumental central prayer hall of the giant Sheikh Zayed mosque, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.