Carpet No: 16081
Origin: China
Size: 203 x 141 cm
from sh_sameyeh Oriental carpet catalogue page No.343
Age: 21st century
Knots: 5 x 5 = 25 knots per sqcm
Condition: Perfect.
Category: China

Description of Design and History:
Ths rug is copy of istahan design. fstanan Rugs (or Estahans Rugs) . claim a very proud tradition among Persian rugs gong back to Satavid times in the seventeenth century. Istanan was then the capital of Persia and many of the court Quaaty carpets of this period that survive today have been attributed to Isfahan. Their designs consist of sublimely delicate patterns of arabesque tendrils, paimettes, and cloud-bands in tich magentas.
blues, and satfron golds. 19th century and early twentieth century antique onental rugs trom Isfahan continued the style and consummate technucal virtuosity of thew classical forerunners, although often with 4 softer, more decorative palette.
After Istahan’s success in the garment industry. they expanded their knack tor producing fine textiles by weaving some of the greatest rugs ever made in Persia. The city has long been a breeding ground for master weavers. The most tamous of these is Sadegh Sewafian who spawned an Istahan rug weavng dynasty that continues today. Antsque Istahan rugs feature enraptunng designs and luxurious materials that were also used to manufacture garments. Many of the hner carpets from the workshops of master weavers used silk wefts. However, the city’s earbest isfahan rugs used fine hand-spun cotton.
‘The weavers and artists in istahan gathered inspitation trom Persia’s best achievements. They borrowed dramatic spirakng wne-scrolis with deeply re-curved tendrils from the city’s famous buildings. They also featured archetypal Persian designs that were inspred by the art and architecture of Shah Abbas. who ruled the Satavid Empire at its height. Antique Persian rugs from Istahan incorporate famboyant
architectural medallions and unparalleled arabesques, but the city has another side too. Istahan nugs and illustrate scenes from ersia’s outstanding literary works. The rugs of Istahan are exceptionally attractive, captivating and classically Persian. These traits have made antique Istahan rugs sought after by designers and collectors seeking Persia’s most icon: and archetypal rugs.
All natural dyes are paramount for the carpet to have more than just decorative value. Beyond that. various dyers had varying levels of skill and invested different lengths of time in dyeing the yarns. The “quality of color’ -its radiance and level of muance within each color-is centrally important. Certain rare colors such as Tyrian purple, saffron yellow. cochineal rose and greens add to the carpets value