Very Fine Persian Kerman Ravar Pictorial Rug

Despite the fact that Kerman has been a centre of carpet production since the 17th century Safavid period, the golden age of carpet making from this city and surrounding town and villages including the important centre of Ravar dates from the late 1800’s. From this time the volume of textiles and carpets to European and North American markets dramatically multiplied in a short period of time, due to increased wealth across a wider audience from economic growth. A shift or revival of interest in ‘all things Eastern’ became apparent and like other urban centres of carpet production, Kerman and neighbouring villages responded accordingly and produced versatile and varied carpet designs including; medallion designs, all-over patterns, panel or diaper designs, prayer formats and pictorial compositions with or without hunting scenes, or those    including figural subject matter. Figural pictorial rugs were particularly popular throughout the last quarter of the 19th century and first quarter of the 20th century, when they were most often produced to commemorate historical events, copy an existing decorative cartoon from books and literature, or to pay homage to distinguished figures of historic or religious significance or interest. Sometimes these rugs are accompanied by inscription cartouches, explaining the composition, naming the designer, or naming the various characters depicted.

This Persian Kerman Ravar pictorial rug displays a characteristic scene depicting Nadir Shah Afshar, (Tahmasp Qoli Khan), Ruler of Persia (1736-1747). He features frequently in pictorial subject matter, likely due to the fact that he was a brilliantly successful military commander and as such a famous protector of Persia. The composition, in two layers is a frequently seen format in such pictorial rugs. The presence of central ascending flowering vines invariably supports the subject matter, symbolic with eternal life. It is feasible that this subject matter would have been taken from a book illustration, as is often the case in pictorial rug subject matter.

The drawing of the figures in this Persian Kerman Ravar pictorial rug typically gives sufficient detail to identify at very least the main figure. The colours used are from a characteristic Kerman Ravar palette, and used to great effect in this Kerman Ravar pictorial rug. The ginger background colour is a magnificent colour choice to offset the carefully chosen strong and pale shades used to create the scene. The contrast of red next to ivory beige and brown shades ensures that the figures are presented to maximum artistic effect and with sufficient shading, notable in the clothing, gives depth and sufficient sense of realism to the figures. Similar effective shading is seen in the animals in the border, maintaining consistency in representation. Supporting portrait medallions as seen in the border are not always present in these figural rugs though when present add a supporting historical context to the rug. This Persian Kerman Ravar pictorial rug, is a superb example of type and origin and is an example from a significant group which represent a historical statement of the time in artistic form.

Fine, Signed Antique Persian Kerman Pictorial 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.