Fine Unusual Persian Esfahan Silk and Wool Rug

Rug #2549
Size: 224 x 153 cm / 7.3 x 5 ft
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POA

Persian Isfahan Silk and Wool Rug Central Medallion Red Base

A Fine Persian Esfahan Rug, Central Persia, Kork Wool on Silk Foundation,

Mid-20th Century

The red field with a central circular blue, pale blue and ivory medallion, linked to mirrored ivory pendants supported by two tiers of intricate curvilinear scrolling tendrils issuing flower heads, ogival floral pendant spandrels, within an ivory border enclosing continuous polychrome palmettes alternating with pairs of combative animals linked by flowering vines

Esfahan is one of the most important and influential Persian cities of rug weaving and boasts a proud tradition of carpet making dating back to Safavid Dynasty of the seventeenth century. Esfahan was then the capital of Persia and many of the historically important court carpets of this period that survive today have been attributed to Esfahan.

Persian Esfahan rug designs consist of sublimely delicate patterns of arabesque tendrils, palmettes, and cloud-bands in rich magentas, blues, and saffron golds. The ‘revival’ of the Persian urban carpet industry of the 19th century and twentieth century resulted in Esfahan continuing the style and consummate technical virtuosity of their classical forerunners, although often with a sympathetic colour palette in tune with ever changing contemporary tastes. The finest possible quality of the materials are also employed in their weavings, with Kork wool and silk being used as the norm.

This finely woven Persian Esfahan rug is a superb example of Esfahan ‘revivalist’ weaving, bearing all the attributes associated with Pahlavi Esfahan artistry. The two-toned blue circular ‘shamsa’, (sun), medallion is traditionally drawn as a sixteen-pendant circle, and surrounded by circular swirling delicately drawn vine tendrils ending in ‘rumi’ or split palmettes. This design is often referred to as the ‘eslami’ or snake pattern. The ivory border presents pairs of combative wild animals incorporated into the palmette and flowering vine borders. This is unusual to this group, and recalls such combative animals as seen in 17th Century classical ‘hunting’ rugs associated with specific groups of Safavid city workshop carpets. As such this rug displays a fusion of design styles, combining a characteristic mid-20th century style with classical elements. This combination works superbly in this Persian Esfahan rug and demonstrates the highly skilled weavers fully understood the relevance of specific classical iconography.

This Persian Esfahan rug is an accomplished work of woven art and although not signed by the master weaver, is a fine example of type and origin.

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.

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