Fine Persian Tehran Birds and Deer Carpet

Tehran 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 had no significant 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 Tehran 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 Tehran 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 present outstanding accomplished designs of considerable beauty and sophistication.

 This Persian Tehran carpet is an early example of fine Tehran weaving dating to around 1920. The design of this Persian Tehran carpet displays comprehensive elements taken from late 16th and early 17th century urban Persian workshop tradition. Consistent with the Persian ‘revivalist’ style of depiction some of these classical elements have been adapted. For instance, the ibex are drawn more realistically than what would have been seen in classical ‘Safavid’ carpets, along with the other depicted wild life. The layered floral vines issue a variety of palmettes and floral forms presented in varying orientations and scales give an effective sense of movement and fluidity to the composition, in tune with classical tradition. In addition, curled serrated leaves seen sparingly in the composition are of a form seen in 16th and 17th century ‘vase’ carpets originating from Kerman in South East Persia. The ‘animal’ theme as seen in this fine Persian Tehran carpet is taken directly from the ‘animal’ theme depicted in the classical carpets known collectively as the ‘Sangusko’ group after a famous example once in the collection of the late Prince Roman Sangusko of Vienna, which was on loan for many years to the Metropolitan museum of art, New York, and now in a Japanese shrine collection.

Overall the stately rendition created in this fine Persian Tehran carpet presents a design which is perfectly mirrored on both the vertical and horizontal axis executed by the recognised highly skilled weavers of Tehran, easy to read, enabled by the colours used typically from the sumptuous saturated Tehran palette. The colours, juxtaposed to create a wonderful endearing spectacle, enhanced by the use of silk which acts as an effective highlighting material. The blue border acts as a superb contrasting frame to the main composition.

This Persian Tehran carpet is a particularly fine example of Tehran weaving and at the same time represents a superb example of evolved classical Safavid weaving tradition consistent with the Persian ‘revivalist’ approach in pursuit of excellence in woven Persian art.

Fine Persian Tehran Birds and Deer 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.