Fine Persian Tabriz Carpet

A Fine Persian Tabriz Carpet, North West Persia, Kork Wool with Silk Highlights on Silk Foundation

Mid 20th Century

The pistachio field with a central ivory star flower head medallion, supported by pastel polychrome flame palmettes linked by sinuous scrolling curvilinear vines issuing flower heads and curled serrated leaves overlaid with similar scrolling curvilinear vines issuing palmettes, flower heads and leaves, within a complementary pistachio border enclosing continuous polychrome palmettes linked by curvilinear flowering vines signature cartouche to inner guard border.

The city of Tabriz in North West Persia, was the earliest Capital of the Safavid Dynasty, (1502 – 1736), and as such is most likely to have been the centre of carpet production longer than any other significant centre in Persia. Regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of carpet making, the Safavid Shah’s were avid patrons of the arts in all subjects, and actively encouraged pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship and creativity. Tabriz led the way, and as a result of this long tradition, Persian Tabriz carpets, influenced by varying cultures over time display a huge repertoire of varying designs from ‘medallion’ to overall repeat patterns.

The range of colours is seemingly endless, and the combination of colours used is always carefully considered to create the most harmonic and decorative end product. From these earlier times, these established traditions have continued through to the present day, and many exceptional Persian Tabriz carpets have been made closely based on the ‘original’ Safavid carpet designs. This beautiful Persian Tabriz carpet is technically finely knotted using Kork wool and silk, on silk foundation. The use of these fine materials allows for extremely fine details to be created. This is clearly present here. The design is based on a recognisable 17th Century Safavid design, displaying a central medallion seen here as an ivory floral star. From this medallion extends extremely fine sinuous curvilinear scrolling vines, framed by a circle of ivory blooms, initially linking two pastel polychrome palmettes on each axis. These vines then extend from these four palmettes to further palmettes creating an allover pattern. On their journey the curvilinear vines are adorned with small palmettes, flower heads ending in delicate curled leaves. The design is symmetrical along both the horizontal and vertical axis. The pattern too is layered with vines overlaying other vines and in turn overlaied with the main floral elements. This multi layered composition gives depth to the appearance and helps create a great sense of movement to the overall design. The border pattern displays continuous palmettes, issuing curvilinear vines adorned with small flower heads and leaves, presented in a calculated format, whereby a palmette is framed by a pair of palmettes placed at an angle which enhances the sense of movement and fluidity to the overall pattern. All these features are consistent with a style of design first seen and often seen in Classical carpets of the 17th Century.

This Persian Tabriz carpet presents an exceptionally fine rendition of this traditional style. Courageously and most effectively the weavers have combined colours that are rare in carpet tradition, particularly the pistachio green as the main field colour and used also as the border and secondary border. This demonstrates a complete break from established traditions as normal accepted practice would not only see green as a main colour, but to use it as a complete background colour throughout every element of the carpet is exceptional. Normal practice would mostly show contrasting colours from field to borders, which define the frame and focus attention on the main field design.

The overall visual affect seen in this Persian Tabriz carpet is remarkably successful, and presents an outstanding fine detailed carpet of 20th century revivalism of 17th Century tradition, created with great ingenuity, and skill. It is no surprise that this carpet bears the signature of the Ustad, (designer).

Fine Persian Tabriz Carpet. This piece was handwoven in Tabriz , 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.