Extremely Fine, Signed Persian Tabriz Rug

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 rugs and carpets, influenced by varying cultures over time display a huge repertoire of varying designs from ‘medallion’ to overall repeat patterns and the weavers and Ustaden from Tabriz have always been inventive and adaptable to changing fashions and styles. The ‘revival’ of the Persian carpet industry towards the end of the 19th Century heralded the rebirth of woven Persian carpet art and since then, Tabriz has been regarded as a major front runner in the creation of exceptionally beautiful, original or traditional styles of rug design.

This beautiful finely detailed Persian Tabriz silk and gold thread rug duly signed by the designer, displays a traditonal style of design based on 17th Century Classical models as seen here by the presence of a large circular green pendant medallion intricately decorated with ochre and ivory palmettes and flower heads around a star centre piece. The linking to the mirrored cartouches and dark blue pendants are also traditional 17th Century elements supporting the central medallion, which enhance the significance of the central medallion. The supporting scrolling curvilinear vines are drawn with exceptional delicacy and fineness over two layers with pale blue tendrils overlaying darker blue tendrils, each issuing different scaled leaves and flower heads coloured in two complementary blue tones and ivory and beige. The design is harmonic with the pattern mirrored through both the horizontal and vertical axis. The subtle shades of colour change which are juxtaposed over two layers, gives depth to the overall visual appeal and demonstrates the exemplary skill of the weavers to create such detail and harmony. The addition of an inner flower head garland and reciprocal trefoil inner surround are ingenious additions which enhance the overall appearance and give balance to the overall composition particularly emphasised by the deep red shade in the trefoil surround. The return to more pastel tones of colour and scale of the pattern details within the borders, perfectly frame and compliment the overall composition. The use of voided gold thread is a welcome addition, and from a technical point of view is extremely difficult to execute when combined with a silk knotted pile, simply due to the necessity to establish even tension throughout to ensure the rug lies flat. The use of flat woven thread gives a further decorative dimension to the rug, giving depth to the visual effect.

This technically fine silk rug displays a magnificently executed design which looks at classical tradition, though with highly effective 20th Century additions. Clearly this rug design of an established skilled master weaver.

Extremley Fine, Signed Persian Tabriz Rug. 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.