Mirza AGHA EMAMI

Out of all the famous names in the world of art in Isfahan, Mirza Agha Emami takes the crown of the modern age. Emami’s artistic genius does not receive enough credit, with many of his students such as Ahmed Archang regarded as the pinnacle of designers of the modern age. One must stop at the remarkable designs of his works such as the carpet to the left, this level of detail has yet to be rivaled in today’s work

Haj agha reza seirafian with his 7 sons

Designed by archang and produced by haj agha Reza seirafian

A masterpiece by haj mohammad seirafian donated to the UN

Master Abdul Samad Isfahani

Master Abdolsamad was a pivotal figure in the revival of Isfahan carpet weaving during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Working alongside Haj Mehdi Haghighi and Abdul Rahim Shooreshi, he is regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern Isfahani rug production. His workshop became known for its exceptional quality, particularly in the execution of intricate floral and medallion designs, which helped set new standards for the craft at a time when it was struggling to recover from its decline after the Safavid era.

Although detailed records of his life remain scarce, Abdolsamad’s reputation rests on his mastery of both design and technical weaving. Only three carpets attributed to him are known to exist today, one of which is still preserved and admired. His daughter also contributed to the family legacy by weaving carpets that embodied national pride, often referred to as “Madar Vatan” (Motherland). These works collectively represent not only artistic achievement but also a cultural revival deeply rooted in Persian tradition.

Abdolsamad’s workshop was more than a center of production; it served as a training ground for future masters. Among his notable apprentices was Haj Mehdi Safdarzadeh Haghighi, who began his career under Abdolsamad’s guidance. This mentorship helped ensure the continuation of traditional weaving practices, including fine knotting, harmonious color palettes, and ornamental motifs that came to define the elegance of Isfahan carpets. His influence extended well beyond his own creations, shaping the direction of the craft for decades.

Equally significant was Abdolsamad’s collaboration with prominent artists and designers of his time. By merging classical Persian aesthetics with evolving artistic expressions, he helped create carpets that balanced tradition with innovation. While his personal biography remains largely undocumented, Abdolsamad’s enduring legacy lies in his role as a master craftsman, mentor, and preserver of one of Iran’s most celebrated artistic traditions. His contributions remain a cornerstone of Isfahan’s reputation as a global center of carpet weaving.

Ahmad Shahapour (ACTIVE TODAY)

Ahmad Shahapour is a living legend among contemporary Isfahan carpet artists, known for producing exclusive limited editions. His “Shahapoor Paradise” series depicts detailed Persian gardens woven on silk foundations with knot densities exceeding 800 knots per square inch.

His use of natural dyes and masterful technique makes his carpets prized collector items.

• Specialty: Limited edition carpets with silk foundations

• Knot Density: 800+ knots per square inch

• Signature Work: “Shahapoor Paradise” series

• Materials: Silk and wool with natural dyes

Ahmed Isfahani (Early 20th Century)

Ahmed Isfahani, often identified with Agha Ahmad Ajami, was a key figure in the revival of Isfahan carpet weaving in the early 20th century. At a time when the city’s weaving traditions were recovering from decline, he founded what became known as the “Ahmad school”, producing carpets that set both technical and aesthetic benchmarks. Many antique carpets are signed “Ahmad Isfahan” or “Ahmad Ajami,” a testament to his workshop’s influence and enduring recognition in domestic and international markets.

His carpets are distinguished by tight knot density, cotton foundations, dry wool piles, and vibrant yet darker-hued dyes, creating depth and longevity in the finished pieces. Ahmed Isfahani drew inspiration from classical Persian motifs, incorporating central medallions, Shah Abbasi palmettes, Islimi arabesques, and Tree of Life compositions. These designs exemplify a seamless blend of tradition and innovation, positioning his workshop as a precursor to later masterful Isfahan weaving schools such as Seirafian.

Key Highlights:

• Artistic Focus: Pre-Seirafian Isfahan carpets with classical Persian motifs

• Techniques: Tight knotting, natural dyes, cotton foundation, dry wool pile

• Design Innovations: Medallions, Shah Abbasi motifs, arabesques, floral and Tree of Life patterns

• Legacy: Influenced subsequent Isfahan carpet schools and workshops; his carpets remain highly collectible

• Recognition: Carpets appear in antique auctions and dealer catalogs worldwide

Ahmed Isfahani’s work represents the bridge between classical Persian carpet artistry and the modern Isfahan revival, making him a cornerstone of the city’s weaving heritage. Though precise biographical details are scarce, the signature style and quality of his carpets continue to attest to his lasting impact on Persian art and craftsmanship.

Mirza hashem Kord-Azad (workshop)

Stitched into the rich tapestry of Isfahan’s carpet heritage, استاد خورد آزاد (“Master Khord Azad”) emerges as one of the dedicated weavers who sustained the tradition of Shah‑Abbasi designs during its revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alongside peers such as Abdol Samad Isfahani and Mehdi Haghighi, Khord Azad contributed to a flowering of carpet art in Isfahan, supported by patrons like Zill‑os-Soltān, son of Nasser al‑Din Shah.Kord-Azad workshop maintains classical Isfahan weaving methods and natural dye usage. They produce carpets prized for design clarity and longevity.

• Focus: Traditional knotting and natural dyes

• Style: Classical Safavid motifs

• Reputation: Valued for craftsmanship and authenticity

Mohammad Ali Seirafian

Mohammad-Ali, the eldest of the brothers, began his journey in the carpet-making industry in the early 1940s and continued his work until his passing in 2011 at the age of 92. Throughout his career, he focused on traditional designs and was known for maintaining exceptional craftsmanship. His carpets consistently featured very fine knot densities—often exceeding 10 knots per centimeter—and displayed intricate, precise patterns. Because he produced fewer pieces compared to brothers like Sadegh or Mohammad Seirafian, his works are considered rare and highly valuable. To the right one can see a beautiful vaq vaq style carpet. an incredible drawing and execution

Abdul kareem isfahani

Abdul Karem Isfahani stands as one of the pioneering master‑weavers in the resurgence of Isfahan carpet weaving in the late 19th / early 20th century, a period when artisans like Abdol Samad and Mehdi Haghighi likewise played foundational roles. Positioned at the intersection of traditional Persian design and renewed technical excellence, Abdul Karem’s carpets would have combined refined materials, dense knotting, elegant medallion or garden layouts, and natural dyes—echoing the standards set by his peers in reviving Isfahan’s weaving heritage after its decline during the Qajar era. His work likely contributed to re‑establishing the workshop culture in Isfahan: training apprentices, cooperating with prominent pattern designers, and supplying merchants seeking quality Persian rugs. Though concrete archival or biographical records are sparse, his name, like those of Abdol Samad and Mehdi Haghighi, signals participation in the revival of Isfahan weaving as both an art form and a guild‑style industry, helping to restore its reputation as one of the pillars of Persian carpet prestige.

DARDASHTI

The Dardashti family workshop, founded in 1921 by Haj Ali Dardashti in Isfahan, has become one of the most respected names in Persian carpet weaving. Ali Dardashti distinguished himself early by introducing silk warps into his carpets, a mark of refinement that set his pieces apart in both the Isfahan and Naien styles. Following his passing, leadership of the workshop passed to his son Abbas Dardashti, who continued to expand the reputation of the brand while preserving the high standards of craftsmanship established by his father. Today, the workshop is run by the third generation, ensuring the continuity of tradition alongside carefully considered innovation.

Dardashti carpets are renowned for their fine knot density, delicate structures, and masterful use of natural dyes, producing deep, durable, and harmonious color palettes. The designs often feature medallion and Shah Abbasi motifs, as well as Islimi arabesques and Golfarang (rose-garden) patterns—all hallmarks of the Isfahan school. Every stage of production, from design and dyeing to weaving, is overseen within the workshop itself, allowing for exceptional quality control. Many pieces carry the woven signature “Isfahan 110 Dardashti,” a mark of authenticity recognized by collectors worldwide.

Over the past century, Dardashti has built not only a commercial brand but a cultural institution within Isfahan’s artistic legacy. Their carpets are sought after for both decorative beauty and investment value, appealing to collectors in Iran and abroad. By balancing tradition with contemporary sensibilities, the Dardashti family has ensured that their workshop remains a central pillar of Persian carpet art—a living testimony to how dedication across generations can turn a family name into a global standard of excellence.

Sadegh seirafian master piece

Dr. Hassan Hekmat-Nejad Majnuni & Family

Dr. Hekmat-Nejad is renowned for producing some of the highest knot-density Persian carpets ever made, often exceeding one million knots per square meter. Born in the 1920s, he was commissioned by the Pahlavi government to create carpets used as diplomatic gifts.

His work combines silk foundations with silk-wool pile, resulting in rugs prized for their luminosity and durability. Dr. Hekmat-Nejad received multiple national honors for his artistic contributions.

Akbar Mahdaei

Distinguished Isfahan Artist and Designer

Akbar Mahdaei was a notable figure in Isfahan’s 20th and 21st-century art scene, recognized for his contributions to traditional Persian miniature painting and carpet design. Mahdaei’s artistic influence is well noted in archival records and art circles.

He was known for integrating classical Persian aesthetics with modern sensibilities, producing works that combined intricate detail with innovative compositions. Mahdaei’s designs were employed in various prestigious weaving workshops, where his cartoons guided the creation of carpets acclaimed for their artistic merit.

His role extended beyond design, as he mentored younger artists and helped sustain Isfahan’s cultural heritage during periods of transition.

Sarraf Mamoury

The Sarraf Mamoury workshop was a prominent producer of fine Persian carpets in Isfahan, Iran, during the mid-20th century, known for its exceptional craftsmanship, intricate designs, and refined use of materials such as wool and silk. Rugs bearing the "Sarraf Mamoury" signature are typically associated with the Isfahan school of weaving, characterized by high knot density, symmetrical floral patterns, and classical Persian motifs, often executed with remarkable precision. The enduring quality of their work has earned these pieces recognition among collectors and connoisseurs of Persian textiles.

Ahmed Seirafian

Ahmad Seirafian, one of the sons of the renowned master Haj Agha Reza Seirafian, played a significant role in maintaining and elevating the prestige of the Seirafian name in Persian carpet weaving. As part of the legendary Seirafian family of Isfahan, Ahmad was deeply involved in the family tradition from an early age and upheld the same standards of excellence that made their carpets internationally admired. His work stood out for its fine craftsmanship, meticulous design, and use of high-quality materials. Many of his carpets feature exceptionally high knot densities—some reaching over 900 knots per square inch—and incorporate silk foundations and natural dyes. Though he passed away in 2011, his legacy lives on through the rarity and enduring beauty of his works, which are considered collector’s items today.

Ahmad’s carpets are especially notable for their artistic complexity and elegance, often featuring classical Persian motifs like the Shekargah (hunting scene), where great care is given to detail, proportion, and movement. He collaborated with well-known designers such as Haj Mosavarolmolki to create visually striking and balanced compositions. Ahmad’s signature evolved over time, but his pieces are usually marked with his name and are distinguishable by their refined weave and luminous silk highlights that catch light at different angles. Unlike some of his brothers who produced in higher quantities, Ahmad focused on quality over volume, which makes his carpets rarer and highly valued by collectors and experts in Persian rugs today.

Mahmoud Akbaroff is a distinguished Persian master weaver based in Isfahan, known for running a high-end workshop dedicated exclusively to the creation of classical Persian carpets. With a deep commitment to traditional design and exceptional craftsmanship, Akbaroff has earned a reputation for producing carpets of remarkable quality, often featuring historical motifs, hunting scenes, and floral medallions characteristic of classical Isfahan weaving. His works are entirely hand-knotted, using fine wool and silk, and are recognized for their high knot density, refined color palettes, and precise drawing. Each carpet bears his signature, typically inscribed as “Akbaroff Isfahan,” a mark that signifies authenticity and excellence. Unlike mass-production workshops, Akbaroff’s output is limited, with a strong emphasis on artistic integrity and adherence to centuries-old Persian weaving traditions.