Magnificent Fine Persian Tehran Carpet

A Magnificent Fine Persian Tehran Carpet, North Persia, Wool on Cotton foundation

First Quarter 20^th Century

A magnificent Persian Tehran rug with a red field patterned with a variety of multi scaled and jewel like multi coloured floral forms, in a formal flowing arrangement.

The red field with an all over design displaying polychrome palmettes, issuing finely drawn tendrils ending in flame palmettes, flower heads and leaves within scrolling blue strap work arabesque vines linking four two tone blue hooked winged pendants each enclosing a polychrome palmette flowering vines and cloud bands, within a pale blue border enclosing continuous stepped palmettes linked by vines and scrolling red arabesques

Teheran was the capital of Persia in the early Qajar period, (1789-1925), though despite the importance of this city at that time, compared with other important cities in Persia has no history of handmade carpet making. From the 1920’s under auspices of the Pahlavi dynasty, carpets began to be made there. Production has always been small, and remains small, though the quality of carpets produced there is significantly high and invariably Persian Teheran carpets are comparable to the best of any other established urban Persian centres of excellence. The 17th century classical Persian Safavid court carpets from the historically important centres of Kashan, Tabriz and Esfahan appear to be major influences in their designs. It seems likely that established skilled weavers from these important centres may well have gravitated to Teheran to set up workshops there. The colours used in Persian Teheran carpets are particularly distinctive; whilst using traditional ‘base’ colours of red, blue, ivory, beige, ochre and green, the tones of their palette is rich, bright yet strong and saturated, and when applied to the technically fine pattern details presents outstanding accomplished designs.

This magnificent Persian Tehran carpet displays a splendid stately appearance. The design and palette are based on some 17th century Safavid Persian carpets attributed to Esfahan and referred to as the ‘strapwork’ group. The ‘strapwork’ arrangement as seen in this Persian Tehran carpet is a rendering of the split palmette arabesque or rumi, one of the great stylistic innovations of Islamic art. In this large Persian Tehran carpet, here continuous overlapping registers create a flowing geometric pattern overlaid by and overlaying thinner spiralling tendrils, floral palmettes and leaves. The rich vibrant colour palette is from the characteristic and well known Persian Tehran carpet range of strong saturated colours. The range of colours is immense with varying shades of red, coral, blue saffron, ochre, ginger, and green, juxtaposed in such a way as to highlight the relevance and decorative appearance of each and every motif to maximum visual impact. The scale of the floral motifs ranges from small to large depending on what layer the motifs are presented on, which gives great depth to this wonderful composition. The scale of the pattern details have been remarkably well executed sympathetic to the large size of this Persian Tehran carpet.

The stately appearance of this magnificent Persian Tehran carpet is an artistic triumph of woven artistry, paying homage to the classical versions of the established ‘strapwork’ group, in design interpretation and in the outstanding use the amazing Tehran colour palette.

Magnificent fine Persian Tehran Carpet. This piece was handwoven in Tehran , 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.