Persian Tabriz Carpet – Fine Signed Antique – Extra-Large Oversize Gallery

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 carpets, influenced by varying cultures over time display a huge repertoire of varying designs from ‘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 the present day, and many exceptional Persian Tabriz carpets have been made closely based on the ‘original’ Safavid carpet designs.

This magnificent Persian Tabriz carpet is based on a design classified as ‘Medallion and Animal’ pattern seen in a small group of recognisable carpets dating to the late 16th Century. They are often referred to as ‘Sanguszko’ carpets so named after an example belonging to Prince Roman Sanguszko which is said to have been acquired as booty at the battle of Chocim in the Polish Commonwealth, 1621, which is exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, attributed to Kerman in South East Persia. A carpet also considered from this group is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This version displays a highly complex central star medallion of large scale displaying a symmetrical pattern incorporating mythical creatures including pairs of dragons and Simurgh, ( Mythical Persian birds related to the Phoenix ), arranged in a flowing pattern supported by flowering vines, in an extensive range of complementary colours. The main ivory ground field is decorated with a mass of highly detailed motifs, beautifully drawn, depicting a hunting scene with hunters on horseback in pursuit of prey amongst delicately drawn flowering vines. The spandrels are presented in a pale ochre colour formed as a quarter medallion displaying the same pattern as seen in the central medallion. Normally the spandrels are presented in a repeated colour scheme to the Central medallion, however, brilliantly and courageously  an alternative yet complementary range of colours has been used.

Pictorial hunting scenes start to appear in Persian Carpets from around 1880 onwards, and in this case replaces the combative animals seen in the safavid ‘Medallion and Animal’ carpets’. The border colour as is often the case is of the same tone as presented in the central medallion. The mythical theme is continued by the inclusion of beautifully drawn continuous kneeling winged ‘Angels’ and Simurgh all drawn in a consistent scale in line with all the other pattern motifs and details, presented in a fabulous range of varied colours. The minor outer border pattern is treated in the same meticulous way as any other area of the carpet, presented in the same colour as the spandrels. The size of this Persian Tabriz carpet is consistent with those often made as Court carpets during the 16th and 17th Centuries.

Overall this Persian Tabriz carpet is remarkable both technically and visually, the creation of an outstanding work of art, reminiscent of the magnificent Persian Tabriz carpets made during the Classical  ‘Golden Age’ of Persian Carpet production.

Persian Tabriz Carpet – Fine Signed Antique – Extra-Large Oversize Gallery. 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.