Fine Persian Tabriz Pictorial Carpet

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 including pictorial scenes. The weavers and 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 fine Persian Tabriz carpet displays a light and airy rendition of a hunting scene with archers on foot shown in varying orientations in pursuit of a variety of prey likewise presented in varying orientations, including deer, ibex, lions and a variety of birds all in a wooded landscape. The varying orientations of the displayed figures animals and birds, creates a great sense of movement in a lively depiction. Furthermore the trees and animals are presented in complex entwined layers, giving depth to the composition. Such subject matter presented in this way is based on drawings from Safavid illuminated manuscripts. The drawing of the elements in this Persian Tabriz carpet is intriguing and remarkably effective as all the details are drawn in a sketchy style which superbly serves to support the light and airy composition. The colours are predominantly from a more muted colour palette with shades of ivory, buff, tan and ochre with slightly stronger blue used to identify the hunters giving a degree of gravitas and relevance to those figures. The border pattern is presented in a similar style yet more serene in mood with animals peacefully grazing. This serenity acts as a clever and effective contrast to the more lively activity presented in the main field.

This pictorial Persian Tabriz carpet a Fine example of the hunting scene genre displaying a carefully thought out design presented in such a way as to maximise the subject matters relevance in a light and airy ‘revivalist’ interpretation of classical Persian pictorial tradition.

Fine Persian Tabriz Tree of Life and hunting Pictorial  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.