| City Persian Rugs Isfahan |
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Located in central Iran, Isfahan is regarded as being Irans most beautiful city. For centuries Isfahan has been a culturally important centre for the arts and crafts, and as a result Isfahan is the source of some of the finest rugs produced. Isfahan was made the capital of Persia by Shah Abbas (1587-1629), and Shah Abbas heavily promoted the arts and was also rumoured to be a talented weaver. Shah Abbas was the first Persian ruler to exchange embassies with a western nation, and it was through this contact that Persian rugs first reached Europe, thus Isfahans were the first Persian rugs to arrive in Europe. Indeed an interesting group of carpets that fall under this category are the €œPolonaise€ carpets; a number of these pieces bore Polish coats-of-arms and it is likely that these carpets were given by Persian Ambassadors, or were woven to order by powerful families. The Afghan invasion of 1722-23 marked the end of this golden age, and Isfahan was burned and pillaged by the Afghan invaders. When Nadir Shar became Shah in 1736 the capital was moved to Mashad; the buildings in Isfahan were left crumbling for around 150-200 years, until Reza Shah then began restoring the buildings to their former glory. Isfahan is now without a doubt the most beautiful city in Iran.
Khaju Bridge, Isfahan. Built by Shah Abbas around 1650. Isfahan produces some of the most esteemed oriental carpets. The weave of Isfahan carpets can vary greatly, but can reach 700 knots per square inch. These carpets are woven on a vertical loom employing the Persian (asymmetrical) knot on a double-weft construction. The pile is wool; and key elements of the design are often outlined with silk tracery. The use of silk warps is common in modern examples, and this allows for even finer knotting. Most carpets produced in Isfahan are in €œrug sizes€, i.e. not larger than 2.50x1.50m. These are woven in elaborate floral designs; favoured designs are the medallion style, the all-over design (i.e. no medallion), and asymmetrical/mihrab format. The village of Nejafabad lies just west of Isfahan. Nejafabad specialises in weaving large carpets with classical curvilinear designs in medallion or all-over design format. The colours employed are typically creams, blues, and terracottas. These carpets are woven with a woollen pile and with cotton warps and wefts. Top quality examples of Nejafabad carpets are extremely hard to find, but the combination of colours and design makes Nejafabad carpets an aesthetically ideal choice for English country houses.
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