THE STORY OF KAHHAL1871
A LEGACY | A TALE
the home of LUXURY contemporary and heritage hand-knotted rugs
KAHHAL 1871 is the luxury home of contemporary and heritage hand-knotted rugs, currently operated by the fifth generation of the oldest and most renowned manufacturers and purveyors of handmade carpets and rugs in Egypt.
For over a century, the El Kahhal name has been at the forefront of the industry, synonymous with the finest quality, craftsmanship and design.
THE FIRST THREAD
THE WOOL REMEMBERED EVERYTHING
KAHHAL 1871 is Egypt’s oldest luxury rug house, now run by its fifth generation.
For over 150 years, the El Kahhal name has stood for masterful craftsmanship and timeless design. Founded in 1871 by Syrian merchant Abdallah El Kahhal, the business grew through cross-Saharan trade and high profile alliances—from Sultans to T.E. Lawrence. His travels led him to Cairo’s Khan al-Khalili, where he opened the first store.
Today, the family continues to furnish royal residences, private homes,
and top-tier hotels from our original bazaar location and Heliopolis showroom.
FIVE GENERATIONS OF KAHHAL HANDS. EACH ADDING THEIR OWN THREADS TO THE CONTINUING STORY.
in the corner of the workshop stood the old dying vats, their copper sides stamped with dates going back to the 1900s.
At KAHHAL 1871, our mission is to craft collections defined by distinction, beauty, and exceptional craftsmanship. We collaborate with clients to create design pieces that anchor each room—objects d’art that reflect their vision and our legacy. Every rug speaks to their taste and our century-old dedication to luxury.
EVERY KNOT TELLS AN AGE-OLD STORY THAT TRANSFORMS SPACES. INTO DEEPLY PERSONAL SANCTUARIES
We produce over 3,000 m² annually using only the finest raw materials sourced from trusted, long-standing partners.
Our range includes hand-knotted wool, bamboo silk, natural silk, and kilims—each piece customizable in color and design.
THE FIRST THREAD
10 MINUTES FOR STORIES TO SET, 10 MINUTES FOR COLORS TO LEARN THEIR NAME & 1O MINUTES FOR PAST & PRESENT TO AGREE ON WHICH PATTERNS WOULD EMERGE
Our rug-making process begins with the finest raw materials: New Zealand wool, Uzbek and Chinese silk, and Indonesian bamboo silk. These are twisted using double-deck machines to produce yarn tailored to each design’s needs. The yarn is then hand-churned in hot tubs for uneven dyeing, creating subtle variations that shimmer uniquely in sunlight. Afterward, it enters an ABEP automatic spray hank dyeing machine, where high heat fixes the dye into the fibers. Once sun-dried, the yarn is handed to our weavers along with graph-paper designs—each square denoting a specific knot count, from 40 to 100 knots per square centimeter, depending on the client's request.
SHOWCASING THEIR TWO-HUNDERD THOUSANDTH PIECE & PATTERNS THAT HAD LIVED IN THEIR FAMILY’S HANDS FOR GENERATIONS
