COVER MAGAZINE

We’re thrilled to share that Kahhal Looms has been featured in Cover Magazine!

Carpets to save a ceiling

To fund the renovation of a historic building in Cairo, Egypt’s oldest brand of handmade rugs and carpets, Kahhal Looms, invited four distinguished designers to produce rugs for auction. Aisha Zaman tells the story

The enduring presence of carpets in Cairo reflects much more than just their practical utility. The intricate craftsmanship of these woven textiles ties into the city’s deep history, where carpets have served as both artistic expression and a symbol of status and heritage. For centuries, Cairo’s grand courtyards and opulent homes have been adorned with carpets that showcase the skill of local artisans, each knot and pattern telling stories of the past. In today’s Cairo, while modernity has reshaped much of the city, the significance of carpets as a symbol of tradition remains. They are not only a testament to the city’s historical craftsmanship but also a tangible link to the culture and heritage that still thrives. Bayt al-Razzaz is a historic residential complex located in the district of Darb alAhmar in Cairo, where heritage conservation has contributed to revitalisation efforts over the past decade. The site was included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch in order to sustain momentum for its rehabilitation and reuse, which is at risk of being lost in the political turmoil that has unfolded in Egypt for the past few decades.