Manufacturing of the world’s largest handmade carpet had been commissioned for The Grand Mosque of Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, the largest mosque in Central Asia.
In the summer of 2021, when the world was in the throes of the pandemic, looking for every sign of hope, courage and resilience, a colossal project was underway in the bustling carpet city of Bhadohi at the Patodia Exports production facility, the parent company of luxury carpet brand Hands.
Manifesting the seemingly impossible
Covering an area of 12,000 m², the world’s largest handmade carpet stands as one of the rarest feats in the history of art.
Here are a few highlights of the colossal carpet.
● A 12,000 m² carpet with a medallion of 70 meters in diameter
● 80 tonnes of 100% New Zealand wool spun and dyed to perfection
● The work of more than a thousand craftsmen, made over a period of 6 months
● Installed in 50 days at the peak of the pandemic
● The design is an extension of two things: one, the circle with 8 axes that forms the centrepiece of the main courtyard; and two, the mosque gardens that draw design inspiration from Jannat-ul-Firdaus
This rare accomplishment in carpet making artistry and scale is not just a product of masterful craftsmanship but also of a manufacturing process driven by excellence. From the spinning of the yarn to the installation of the carpet on site, everything was executed by Hands.
Among others, the company’s manufacturing prowess includes:
● A production capacity of over 25,000 m² per month
● A vertically integrated production process for quality control at every level
● In-house dyeing of yarns for countless colour options
● A highly experienced installation team to finish the job at site
Perfection in every detail
Often, it can take just one small structural deficiency to create a problem that will manifest only when the carpet is being installed. Hands’ in-house Planning and Estimation units therefore worked to provide immediate assistance and guidance when required. Taking every detail of the mosque architecture into account: the principal chandelier, the corners, the flooring, the converging walls, the pillars and much more.
Communication being key, and as always, a highly flexible model of collaboration was adopted – both at the development stage and even after production. The client’s designers got to understand all aspects of production and at the same time team Hands brought their experience to help assist and innovate.
Today, as the carpet lies in its permanent abode, The Grand Mosque of Nur-Sultan, it tells a compelling tale of hands that have honoured time and tradition. Elevating creativity and its scale. For the world to behold.
Gallery:
About the company:
Founded in 1881, in Bhadohi near Varanasi, by Mr A. Tellery (a pioneer of Indian handmade carpets), the business passed on to the Patodia family some decades later. Now, it is the second generation of Patodias who run the show.
Today, the brand is housed in some of the world’s most prestigious palaces, luxury hotels, and residences. But the crowning glory lies in having crafted one of the world's finest hand knotted carpet - with an incredible 4900 knots per square inch and also now having crafted the world’s largest handmade carpet. While the label caters to clients across the world, Hands has presence in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Dubai and Singapore.
New Hands collections are introduced every season. There is also the bespoke design - completely custom-made, designed, sized, and crafted around a unique, personal expression.