Exceptionally Fine Tabriz Persian Rug

An Exceptionally Fine Persian Tabriz Rug, North West Persia, Kork Wool on Cotton Foundation

Mid 20th Century

An exceptionally fine Persian Tabriz rug, an intricate design with minute repeat boteh and a complex red border all presented in contrasting jewel like colours of dark blue red, ivory and green.

This exceptionally finely knotted Persian Tabriz rug presents a dark blue field with an overall design displaying all over offset rows of curvaceous boteh within a red border enclosing meandering hooked ivory vines overlaid with continuous dark blue diagonal hooked vines in turn overlaying opposing pale blue diagonal hooked vines supported by sinuous vines issuing minute flower heads and leaves

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, influenced by varying cultures over time display a huge repertoire of varying designs from central 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 present day Persian Tabriz rug production. From the end of the 19th century which saw a revival in the handmade Persian carpet industry, Tabriz workshops have developed energetic new styles of design, often ground breaking and original in approach, though also maintaining the use of traditional iconography.

This exceptionally fine Persian Tabriz rug, displays an intricate design of traditional iconography with repeat rows of boteh motifs which are drawn with extreme detail and defined in a range of complementing colours, red, ivory and green against a dark blue ground which presents a wonderful jewel like image. This remarkably intricate boteh design appears to be based on the intricate shawl designs as seen in fine textiles originating from the city of Kerman in the 19th century. The supporting floral infill around the boteh motifs is original and intriguing in that it is difficult to determine exactly what the forms are representing, although clearly they are flora forms, which magnificently enhance the visual complexity. The inclusion of this floral infill certainly supports the textile or shawl like appearance in this Persian Tabriz rug. The majestic formality of the field pattern in this Persian Tabriz rug is supported by the contrasting red border which displays a complex pattern made up of three entwined layers of meandering hooked vines weaving their way around the border. Such an arrangement gives depth to the composition and presents a real sense of fluidity and movement in contrast to the formality of the field design.

The accomplished design in this Persian Tabriz rug is a remarkable achievement of technically fine weaving, only possible to render with the finest possible quality wool on finely spun cotton. Such detail is normally only conceivable with silk weaving on a silk foundation. This is a magnificent Persian Tabriz rug, which could only have been created by highly skilled knowledgeable weavers.