Persia - Curvilinear and Floral Designs
The traditional Persian carpet has remained essentially unchanged for centuries. A decorative repertoire appropriated a design language from early bookbindings and miniatures and developed field patterns with centralized or endless repeats using cartouches or floral ornamentation. The ubiquitous medallion design with pendant motifs supported by corner spandrels within a complementary border is synonymous with Persian city production. Different weaving centers interpreted the basic language with varying motifs, techniques or palettes. Cities in the East such as Khorossan and Meshed are known for an adventurous use of color and for weaving with a jufti knot whereby strands of wool are tied over four warps rather than the more usual two warps which allows the weaver to create designs of widely varying angles and styles. These designs are often framed by multiple intricate borders. Western cities such as Kashan, Malayer and Senneh are known for repeats of floral boteh (paisley). Kashan is the center of Iranian silk production and even its woollen carpets have a silky handle with the best, Mohtashem Kashans, being named for an exceptional weaver from the town. The Kirman carpets of the Southeast are famed for their fineness of weave, delicate drawing and range of color. Haji Jalili, the master weaver of the Qajar era, was based in Tabriz and it is generally acknowledged that the finest Tabriz carpets are unsurpassed within the epoch of 19th century weaving.
Exceptional Tabriz Carpet
Price on application
Persia, 19th Century
13ft 6in length x 10ft 6in width
4.11m x 3.20m