Fine Rare Persian Tabriz ‘William Morris’ Design Rug

This fine and rare Persian silk Tabriz rug is more significant than might first appear. It commands a detailed explanation from the origins of the design, and demonstrates how carpet patterns evolve and reinvent themselves crossing cultural boundaries to create original works of great art which will consequently stand the test of time.

The original basis of the design as presented in this Persian Silk Tabriz rug is seen in the Classical Safavid silk and brocaded metal thread rugs dating to the early 17th Century and entitled ‘Polonaise’, originating from either Isfahan or Kashan during the reign of Shah Abbas 1st, (1587-1629), who was a great Patron of the Arts, and as such carpet production flourished under his patronage. Polonaise rugs epitomised the wealth and opulent taste of the Persian Court at that time. Through ambassadorial and trade routes with the East, many of these exceptionally fine opulent ‘new’ rugs found great favour with the Baroque nobility of 17th Century Europe. The design of Persian Polonaise rugs essentially shows varying design planes of arabesques, strap work, flowering curvilinear vines overlaid with assertive floral forms. This historically important group of recognisable classical rugs attracted the interest of the prominent carpet designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement of the twilight years of the 19th Century heralding a unique episode in British culture, which sparked off a wholesale reaction against the bad design and industrial mass production which is a reaction still present today more than a century later, particularly significant and successful in hand made carpet production.

The prominent and now famous carpet designers of the Arts and Crafts movement were William Morris, and C.F.A Voysey, in England, and Gavin Morton in Donegal, Ireland. In brief, carpet designs were based on varied traditions, including Persian and Anatolian established recognisable designs, of which Morris and Voysey were particularly focussed on. Morris’s finest carpets were made in Hammersmith, London. In the main the original Persian designs were stripped of fine details with the pattern elements remaining as basic forms with the same flow of pattern, drawn in an original ‘Art Nouveau style’ and layered to give depth in the same way as the original Persian principles of pattern format. The result of the ‘Morris’ creations was nothing short of sensational and which had a profound impact in decoration styles into the 20th Century. His interpretations of Persian patterns have a timeless quality, and are established as a significant artistic style and genre in its own right which has its own important status in hand made carpet art. For further information  see; Haslam, M. Arts And Crafts Carpets, David Black, 1991. 

This remarkable Persian Tabriz rugt displays an understanding of the Arts and Crafts style and presents a new interpretation and development of this design which to a degree reverts back to the original Classical ‘Polonaise’ design. This Tabriz silk rug incorporates a mix of both styles to produce a magnificent highly decorative 20th Century Persian hybrid, epitomised by a mix of Art Nouveau motifs combined with traditional Persian iconography. This exemplified by the the drawing of the scrolling vinery and associated floral elements which are truly Persian in style, enhanced by the flower heads in the main border which similarly revert back to Persian iconography.

The insight of the master weaver is outstanding as this fine silk Tabriz rug stands as a testament to the successful combination of seemingly different styles of  presenting a beautiful unique work of woven art.

The colours selected and magnificently juxtaposed are two shades of green, purple, soft caramel, saffron and associated accent tones serve to enhance and support the artistry of the master weaver in the creation of an exceptional work of art. This ingenious work of Tabriz woven art is duly signed by the master weaver.

William Morris Persian Tabriz Signed Woven by Special Order Rug. 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.