Fine Habibian Nain Carpet

The city of Nain is a relatively recently established centre for the production of decorative furnishing carpets with designs predominantly based on 17th Century Classical Persian designs. Carpet production became established here in the 1930’s and rapidly became a significant centre for the production of exceptional decorative carpets. Due to the close proximity to Isfahan, an historically important centre for the production of technically fine and highly decorative rugs with a tradition dating back to the 16th Century, it would be inevitable that much of Nain pattern repertoire would be hugely influenced by the outstanding Isfahan workmanship, and traditional iconography. The technical fineness of much of Nain workmanship is comparable to the finest technical finesse as seen in any other significant centre of Persian urban carpet production. A good deal of emphasis is placed upon the colour palette which is distinctive to Nain carpets. Shades of blue and beige with green and red detailing are often present, ivory, and ivory silk is frequently used as a ‘highlighting’ material to enhance the visual appearance of Persian Nain carpets. Central medallion formats are a major part of their design repertoire, though all over repeat patterns are also prevalent.

This Persian Nain carpet possesses all the attributes of the very best of Persian Nain workmanship. The wool is of the best quality, soft and lustrous supported by fine silk highlighting to enhance the visual appearance where it has been applied. The use of fine soft wool and the presence of silk allows for the pile to be finer knotted and as such allows for greater clarity of the pattern details clearly evident in this magnificent detailed example.

The design of this Persian Nain carpet, is of classic Central medallion format with the central medallion design reminiscent of the interior decoration of an elaborate  dome. The arcaded inner surround also supports the ‘architectural’ style as seen in the central medallion. The intricate drawing of the pattern details is reminiscent of the fine pattern drawing as seen in the 17th Century Classical Persian City workshop carpets.

This Persian Nain carpet is an example of outstanding Nain artistry, presenting a highly detailed formal design of great beauty and sophistication.