Fine Persian Esfahan Rug – Signed

Rug #180
Size: 212 x 143 cm / 7 x 4.7 ft
Handwoven in: 
Design:  ,
Category:  
POA

Signed Persian Esfahan Rug Allover design | Floral Fine Kork Wool (Cashmere) and Silk on Silk foundation

A Fine Persian Esfahan Rug, Central Persia, Kork Wool and Silk on Silk Foundation, signed

Mid 20th Century

A Fine Persian Esfahan rug, all over repeat floral design presented in a rhomboidal shaped tile lattice, displayed in a range of complementing pale pastel colours.

This fine Persian Esfahan rug displays an ivory field with offset rows of pastel polychrome flowering sprigs all framed within a diagonal banded star filled serrated edged rhomboidal lattice with meandering stems linking each plant, surrounded by a beige border enclosing continuous vases issuing floral bouquets alternating with opposing fan shaped vases issuing flowering vines, arcaded outer surround with inscription.

Esfahan is one of the most important and influential Persian cities of handmade rug weaving and boasts a proud tradition of rug making dating back to Safavid Dynasty of the seventeenth century. Esfahan was then the capital of Persia and many of the historically important court carpets of this period that survive today have been attributed to Esfahan.

Persian Esfahan rug designs consist of sublimely delicate patterns of arabesque tendrils, palmettes, and cloud-bands in rich magentas, blues, and saffron golds. The ‘revival’ of the Persian urban carpet industry of the 19th century and twentieth century resulted in Esfahan continuing the style and consummate technical virtuosity of their classical forerunners, although often with a sympathetic pale colour palette in tune with ever changing contemporary tastes. From the early years of the 20th Century In pursuit of technical excellence, established in Classical times there appeared a number of highly skilled designers determined to establish and maintain excellence in woven carpet art. The most famous of these were members of the Seirafian family over generations. Along with other inspirational designers they have collectively succeeded in maintaining excellence and creating some of the finest decorative carpets of the 20th Century Pahlavi dynastic period which are still being made today. The finest examples are often signed by the Ustaden, (designer), and this Persian Esfahan rug bears such an inscription.

A Persian Esfahan rug of great beauty, presenting a style of design combining 17th century Persian classical tradition and Persian ‘revivalist’ originality. The rhomboidal arrangement is a variant of the classical ‘garden design’ associated particularly with 17th century Persian Kerman rugs from the ‘vase design’ group, and the early 20th century Persian Bakhtiari rugs from the Chahar Mahal valley where square tiles are traditionally seen. A further impressive original addition seen in this Persian Esfahan rug is the meandering plant stems which diagonally cross over and under the rhomboids linking each of the flowering sprigs. This device is a clever and original addition, which breaks down the rigidity of the tile pattern and creates a sense of fluidity and movement to the overall composition. The wonderful soft colour palette in the central field is complemented superbly by the beige border with floral bouquets displaying a slightly stronger range of colours particularly seen in the three tones of red flower heads and flashes of deep saffron in other blossom. This differentiation of colour compared with the field is highly effective as the subtle contrast gives definition to both parts of the composition in this Persian Esfahan rug.

This Persian Esfahan rug epitomises the best attributes of Persian ‘revivalist’ culture, using traditional pattern elements combined with original additions to create a delicate, formal design presented in a comprehensive range of established colours indicative of ‘Pahlavi’ woven artistry at its best. Unsurprisingly, this Persian Esfahan rug bears an inscription of the master weaver.

 

 

Signed Persian Esfahan Rug. This piece was handwoven in Esfahan (Isfahan) , Iran. For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.

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