Isfahan rug (cotton warp and weft, wool pile), central Persi - Lot 205

Isfahan rug (cotton warp and weft, wool pile), central Persia, circa 1930-1970 (Finely knotted.) Length: 252 cm; Width: 154 cm The rug is highlighted with numerous flowering trees and nesting birds on an ivory background. A red border with flower garlands is framed by numerous counter-borders. "The ancient capital of Sefevid Persia is one of the most monumentally rich cities in the whole of Iran. According to a Persian saying, Isfahan nesfe jaha, "Isfahan is the most beautiful city in the world" (...). Isfahan was founded in ancient times. Its first name, Atran, was changed to Gabian by the Achaemenids, who made it the seat of an important satrapy. The city continued to play an important role under the Sefevids and Sassanids (...). In the 18th century, when the court moved to Esfahan, in addition to palaces and mosques, "Kharkhaneh" were built, i.e. royal workshops with warehouses and factories for artists and craftsmen. Carpet factories played an important role, producing splendid floral designs, often in silk and precious yarns (...). The tradition of home weaving developed during the 18th and 19th centuries, and its roots are so deep that it remains unchanged to this day. In every family, the women who stay at home own one or more looms on which they weave carpets ordered by merchants who supply them with the design and wool. (...). Isfahan carpets rarely have fewer than fourteen colors, and three of them, characteristic of the region, are always present: blue-gray, ivory and red." Bibliographical reference: - Sabahi T, "Splendeurs des tapis d'Orient", Ed. Atlas, Paris 1987, pp. 143-146. Expert : Alexandre CHEVALIER