Fine Persian Ravar Kerman Rug

The village of Ravar as an important centre of fine carpet production rose to prominence in the 1800’s when artisan crafts people fled the city of Kerman, which was under attack from feuding Khans.

The highly skilled weavers of Ravar, developed their own style that incorporated voluminous floral patterns woven in an impressive array of varied colours, often based on formal, floral Persian 17th Classical styles of design. Persian Kerman Ravar carpets can also include detailed pictorial scenes including human figures rendered in a style similar to the pictorial scenes produced in the important cities of Qum and Esfahan. Many early Persian Kerman Ravar rugs feature kaleidoscopic floral patterns and curvilinear layered vine scrolls, as seen in this exceptionally fine Persian Kerman Ravar carpet, decorated with a variety of jewel like and subdued complementary colours. The technically finest Kerman Ravar carpets are often described as ‘millefleurs’ referring to exceptionally fine detail displaying a profusion of tiny blossoms and flora forms present throughout the carpet, and is normally associated with Kerman Ravar, however in recent years other important urban centres have adopted this remarkable style of depiction.

In the 20th century, regional designs shifted to reflect a European composition, including saturated colours and a rich monochromatic field. As mentioned Persian Ravar Kerman carpets feature supremely detailed patterns, innovative colours and discontinuous non defined borders with elements that often invade the field areas. The impeccable craftsmanship, tightly placed knots and exceptionally diverse range of colours set Persian Kerman Ravar carpets apart from those created in Persia’s other great carpet-producing urban centres. All natural dyes are paramount and applied to do justice to the consummate artistry of the highly skilled weavers. The predominant and characteristic colours include distinctive tones of Tyrian purple, saffron yellow, cochineal rose, claret madder, greens, and varying shades of indigo blue and ivory which are all present and superbly combined and juxtaposed in this magnificent Persian Ravar Kerman carpet.

The best attributes of Kerman Ravar craftsmanship are evident in this ‘millefleurs’ floral pattern; mirrored on the vertical axis, displaying carefully arranged plants, petal adorned vine tendrils and flowering fronds. The magnificent flowing design is created by relentless curving, circular and semi-circular orientations of the exceptionally finely drawn floral elements. The dark blue background presents an effective backdrop enabling the full impact of the design to be appreciated to maximum effect, creating great contrast with the extensive range of characteristic saturated Kerman colours used to define the pattern. The dark blue border design presents similar scaled fine drawing complementing the main field activity to consummate effect. This Kerman Ravar carpet is a text book example of expected beauty and technical excellence which defines Kerman Ravar as a significant and important centre of Persian handmade carpet production.

Fine Persian Ravar Kerman Rug. This piece was handwoven in Kerman , 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.