Ispahan carpet (cotton warp and weft, "kurk" wool pile), central Persia, circa 1900
H. 485 cm - L. 415 cm AC
This rug features a first large blue polylobed medallion, extended by two elongated red pendants and embellished by a second ivory polylobed medallion on a navy blue background decorated with interlacing and stylized polychrome foliage.
"The former capital of Sefevid Persia is one of the most monumentally rich cities in the whole of Iran. According to a Persian saying, Isfahan nesfe jaha, "Isfahan is the most beautiful city in the world" (...).
Isfahan was founded in ancient times. Its first name, Atran, was changed to Gabian by the Achaemenids, who made it the seat of an important satrapy. The city continued to play an important role under the Sefevids and Sassanids (...).
In the 18th century, when the court moved to Isfahan, in addition to palaces and mosques, "Kharkhaneh" were built, i.e. royal workshops with warehouses and factories designed to accommodate artists and craftsmen. Carpet factories were particularly prominent, producing splendid floral designs, often in silk and precious yarns (...).
The tradition of home weaving developed during the 18th and 19th centuries, and its roots are so deep that it remains unchanged to this day.
In every family, the women who stay at home own one or more looms on which they weave carpets ordered by merchants who supply them with the design and wool. (...).
Isfahan carpets rarely have fewer than fourteen colors, and three of them are always present: blue-gray, ivory and red.
Bibliographical reference: Sabahi T, "Splendeurs des tapis d'Orient", Ed. Atlas, Paris 1987, pp. 143-146.
Wear, old restorations and probably diminished
Estim. 7,000 - 10,000 EUR