Boasting a 150-year legacy in handmade rug production, Kahhal Looms was founded in 2002 by the fifth generation of the family. Hend and Mohamed El Kahhal continue operations from the same factory and what is the oldest retail store in Khan El Khalili since 1936, honouring the legacy of Wekalet El Kahhal, established in 1871. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation (EHRF) is a non-profit organisation established in 2013 to promote and protect Egypt’s cultural heritage.
The collaboration between the two parties culminated with an event in late 2024 at the prestigious setting of Cairo’s Bayt al-Razzaz. Located in a historic area of the city, the Mamluk-era building was originally constructed in the eighteenth century, while a second part was added during the Ottoman era. Kahhal Looms and the EHRF have come together to help preserve this rich architectural heritage, with proceeds from the initiative dedicated to restoring the ceremonial ceiling of Bayt al-Razzaz. They did so by joining forces with four esteemed artists: Azza Fahmy, Nada Debs, Abdulla Al Awadi and Louis Barthélemy.
In this Q&A, the Kahhal Looms team give us fuller insight into the collaboration.
Timothy Alouani-Roby: Could you please tell me a little about Egyptian textiles – what’s their history and place in Egyptian heritage for Kahhal Looms?
At Kahhal Looms, our story with handmade rugs goes back over 150 years – it’s in our family’s DNA. Egyptians have been creating rugs since the time of the Mamluks in Egypt, and that history still influences everything we do today. For us, rugs aren’t just products – they’re a reflection of our combined history. When we craft each one, we’re preserving the legacy of Egyptian artistry, with designs inspired by centuries-old motives and artistic and architectural traditions.
What’s the story of this building, Bayt al-Razzaz, and what does this project aim to achieve?
Bayt al-Razzaz is a real gem of Historic Cairo. Built in the fifteenth century, it’s a beautiful, double-courtyard palace that showcases the renaissance of Mamluk and Ottoman architecture. The ceiling of its ceremonial reception hall, ‘Qa’a,’ is a stunning example of eighteenth-century craftsmanship but, sadly, it’s been showing signs of wear. Our collaboration with the Egyptian Heritage Restoration Foundation aims to restore this exquisite ceiling and raise awareness about the importance of the neighbourhood’s decaying Mamluk buildings.
What we’re really hoping to achieve is not just the restoration of a building, but a renewed appreciation for Egypt’s incredible history and a call to action to the private sector to take part in preserving these cultural treasures. The proceeds from this initiative go toward that very cause, so we’re thrilled to be a part of it.
What is the value in bringing together art, textiles and architecture?
Bringing together art, textiles and architecture is a way of honouring Egypt’s past in a modern context. We see it as a way of making history accessible – translating the intricate, beautiful details of historic buildings such as Bayt al-Razzaz into something people can experience and enjoy today. For us, this collaboration means more than just making beautiful rugs; it’s about creating functional pieces of art that keep the spirit of Egypt’s art and architectural heritage alive and breathing in our homes. When art, textiles and architecture come together like this, we get to re-tell the stories of those who came before us to inspire the future generations while keeping those stories relevant for the present.
How is the art informed by architectural character and history?
Every rug we make for this project is directly inspired by the Mamluk and Ottoman architectural beauty of Bayt al-Razzaz. The ornate ceiling, the colourful stained glass, the intricate patterns – these are all woven into the rugs. What’s amazing about this process is how we can take something as permanent as architecture and turn it into a tactile, living part of our everyday lives. Each rug also tells the story of Egypt’s long history of craftsmanship. Each is hand-knotted by Egyptian artisans using different technique that adhere to the designer’s artistic vision. By translating these architectural elements into handmade textiles, we’re helping preserve these stories in a way that’s approachable and meaningful for modern-day audiences.
Please tell me a little about the artists involved and their roles in this project.
We’re so proud that they were a part of such an important project, and working with them was seamless as we were all aligned with a common goal.
We are truly honored to have had Azza Fahmy join us on this project. She is not only an icon in the world of jewellery design, but also a passionate advocate for preserving Egypt’s rich cultural heritage. For over five decades, Azza has worked tirelessly to celebrate traditional values and craftsmanship, particularly through her stunning silver and gold combined jewellery collections. Her gravitas as a designer, combined with her dedication to cultural preservation, brought a sense of depth and authenticity to the project. It was a privilege to have her bring that same vision and care to the creation of her rug, inspired by the Mamluk era.
Equally special is our ongoing partnership with Louis Barthélemy, with this being our third collaboration together. Over the past three years, we’ve built a fantastic working relationship with Louis, and we love collaborating with him for so many reasons. His respect for traditional craftsmanship and his dedication to reviving and preserving heritage through his art, especially in North Africa, is something we share deeply at Kahhal Looms.
We’re also thrilled to have Nada Debs take part in our heritage restoration initiative. Nada is a visionary in every sense of the word, and her approach to design is deeply personal. She was completely captivated by the stained-glass windows at Bayt al-Razzaz, and it was that breathtaking beauty that inspired her to create her rug. Her design captures the elegance and complexity of the windows, but what’s exciting is how she was receptive to a nuanced production technique that gave her rug a sense of depth and texture.
Abdulla Al Awadi brought his deep connection to Arabic calligraphy to this project. As an architect and visual artist, Abdulla’s design highlights the beauty of Arabic script while telling the story of the small history of Bayt al-Razzaz, weaving cultural narrative into every detail. His deep understanding of this era in Egyptian history combined with his creative vision added a unique and personal touch to the project.
What other exciting plans does Kahhal Looms have for the future?
We’re just getting started! We are currently working on the production of the retail line with carpets designed by the artists for Bayt al-Razzaz, giving the public access to the designers’ beautiful creations while raising more funds for similar restoration projects.
Our overall vision is to define the Egyptian rug and celebrate its uniqueness through heritage-driven design, functional innovations, hand-knotting techniques and authentic colors. We’re always looking for ways to bridge the past with the future, blending tradition and innovation in our rug designs. Our goal is to keep preserving and celebrating Egyptian culture, but also to push the boundaries of what we can do with the techniques. We’ve expanded into more contemporary designs and are exploring new ways to share Egypt’s history with a global audience. Whether it’s new collaborations or continuing to push the envelope on design, we’re excited about what the future holds.
