Beschreibung:

Early Isfahan RugIran
c. 17th century, This 17th-century rug was created in Isfahan, which is located to the south of modern-day Tehran. It sits at the intersection of two main trade routes along the Silk Road. It was, at one time, the largest city of the Safavid Dynasty and its capital. The arts flourished under the support of the Safavid rulers, including rug weaving. It was during that time when the art of rug weaving entered into its "Golden Age." We can tell from the style of this rug that includes long, curving saz leaves and a distinctive design known as the Shah Abbas palmette, that this rug was created after the reign of Shah Abbas I, who ruled from 1588 to 1629. The large floral palmette designs in the border of this rug are a motif that indicates that this carpet was likely created by the formal weaving workshops and schools of the Safavid Dynasty. The palmette was a design that was used to represent the court of the Shah. The inclusion of it in carpets was a requirement by the Shah as a symbol of his power and influence. This trademark of the Safavid rulers would later become a traditional element of Persian carpet design that is still recognized today. To see an original such as this carpet is rare. There are very few of them surviving from this time period, and most of them are only fragments. This Renaissance era carpet is as decorative as ever and could still be used in a low traffic area or admired as an important piece in a sophisticated collection.
Provenance: Christie's Lot 40 10/15/2013
9 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. 8 in.