ISFAHAN
Origins: Isfahan Persian rugs originate from the city of Isfahan in central Iran (formerly Persia). Isfahan has a rich history of rug weaving dating back centuries, and its rugs are esteemed for their exceptional craftsmanship and intricate designs.
Design: Isfahan Persian rugs are characterized by intricate floral motifs, arabesques, medallions, and curvilinear patterns. These designs are meticulously executed with fine detail and precision, often incorporating rich colors such as deep blues, crimson reds, ivory, gold, and soft greens.
Construction: Isfahan rugs are handcrafted using high-quality materials such as fine wool, silk, and cotton. Silk is often used to highlight intricate details and add luster to the rug's surface. The rugs are hand-knotted using the Persian knot technique, resulting in a dense and durable pile.
Size and Shape: Isfahan Persian rugs come in various sizes, ranging from small accent rugs to large room-sized carpets. They are available in rectangular, square, and even round shapes, catering to different design preferences and spatial requirements.
Quality and Collectability: Isfahan Persian rugs are among the finest Persian rugs, prized for their exceptional quality, intricate designs, and historical significance. They are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world and are considered valuable investments due to their craftsmanship and enduring popularity.
Cultural Significance: Isfahan Persian rugs are part of Iran's rich cultural heritage and represent a tradition of artistry and craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. They serve as symbols of Persian culture and artistic ingenuity, reflecting the region's history, literature, and aesthetics.
Evolution: Over time, Isfahan Persian rugs have evolved to incorporate a blend of traditional designs and modern elements to appeal to contemporary tastes. While traditional motifs remain popular, modern Isfahan rugs may feature innovative color palettes or reinterpretations of classic patterns.
Antique Isfahan carpet that is best of type
History
Isfahan, the capital of the Persian empire during the Safavid rule was the most prominent weaving center. The Safavid rulers were great patrons of the arts, and they fostered an environment conducive to artistic expression. Shah Tahmasp I (1524–1576) and Shah Abbas I (1588–1629) were particularly renowned for their support of the arts, including rug weaving. There is less than 1500 examples of such carpets that are known to exist, Many have been acquired by famous musuems around the world.
The baron adolphe carl von rothschild ‘polonaise” carpet property of a german nobleman sold at christies
Together with a subtle palette of powder blue, indigo, sage-green, peach, and pale yellow the present carpet is woven with a heavily brocaded gold and silver field and a silver brocaded border. The hallmark shimmering silver and gold tones of ‘Polonaise’ carpets were achieved by wrapping extremely fine silver-gilt and silver thread diagonally around silk threads.
The Pommersfelden ‘polonaise’ carpet sold at chrisities
Second Revival
During the late 19th Century and early 20th century, a drastic revival in carpets occurred. The Persian nation prepared to produce their best-in-class carpets, and Isfahan was at the center of this transformation.
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
Abdol rahim shureshi
Mr Abdul Rahim Shureshi, a rug weaving master is regarded as the reviver of rug weaving in isfahan, born in 1869, at a very young age he quickly was recognized by the shah of iran for his carpets, old antique Isfahan carpets of high caliber are often refered to as shureshi’s work, even if they are not a true shureshi piece due to extremely tight tolerances and very high standards set by him. His son Abbas was a skilled weaver and a master of traditional dyeing techniques who worked very closely with Haj agha reza seirafian
A Gorgeous isfahan carpet drawn by emami and woven in the shureshi workshop
hAJ aGHA REZA Seirafian
Haj Agha Reza seirafian began his career in rug weaving in 1939. Originally a banker , decided to produce a best of type carpet. he employed the most talented designers, skillful weavers and procured the best natural dyes and wool and silk of his time. Starting his career at a later age, his production was limited, making his carpets highly desirable among seasons collectors. Haji was survived by 7 sons who also work in carpet production. The most prominent of which is haji Mohammad seirafian
A beautiful 1930’s isfahan carpet attributed to artist mirza agha emami the workshop is unknown
Haj agha reza seirafian with his 7 sons
aHMED ARCHANG
The islimi legend of isfahan, Ahmed archang was a student of Haj Mirza Agha Emami, A revered artist Archange mastered the art of drawing eslimi’s (curvilinear drawing of carpets) he was commissioned heavily by several workshops to design Persian rugs, the most prominent of all is the seirafian workshop
Designed by archang and produced by haj agha Reza seirafian
hAJ MoHammad seirafian
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian is the co-founder of the Seirafian Carpet with his father Haj Reza Seirafian. Haji is hands down the greatest producer of Persian carpets in the twentieth century. A philanthropist and a humanitarian at heart. In a tremendous act of generosity and without any support from anyone, he donated his greatest-ever masterpiece to the United Nations to bring the message of peace and unity to the rest of the world. This incredible masterpiece contains more than 1350 knots per square inch and was a decade in the making
it is our opinion that the true genius of Grand Master Seirafian has not fully gotten the attention it deserves he will most definitely go down in history as one of the greatest and most influential Persian of our time. Haji cared truly about his people and at times bought them houses to live in. his vision of peace and harmony between all mankind has yet to be fully understood. His masterpiece is displayed in the UN Headquarters in New York, a picture of this remarkable rug can be seen to your left.
For more information visit: www.un.org/ungifts/persian-carpet
A masterpiece by haj mohammad seirafian donated to the UN
hAJ sadiq seirafian
The Late Master Sadegh Seirafian (1922- 2005), one of the sons of Haj Agha Reza Seirafian became a carpet master producer after graduating from high school. He was also talented as a designer often creatively helping designers develop their sketches. Sadegh used his unique inscription, which added his full name in English to the inscription of the Serafian workshop. Having considerable interest and the same dreams as his father, he combined the dexterity of the skillful masters with his innovative thoughts and began to produce carpets. His works have attracted hundreds of enthusiasts, artists, and highly reputable collectors of high-quality hand-woven rugs and carpets.
Sadegh seirafian master piece