Tabriz

1.     Origins: Tabriz Persian rugs originate from the city of Tabriz, one of the oldest weaving centers in Iran. With a history dating back over a thousand years, Tabriz has been a hub for Persian rug production and is renowned for its diverse range of designs and high-quality craftsmanship.

2.     Design: Tabriz rugs are characterized by their diverse range of designs, including floral motifs, medallions, pictorial scenes, and intricate arabesques. The designs often exhibit a high level of detail and precision, with fine knotting and intricate patterns. Tabriz rugs come in various styles, from traditional Persian designs to more contemporary and experimental patterns.

3.     Construction: Tabriz rugs are handwoven using the Persian knot technique, resulting in a dense and durable pile. They are crafted using high-quality materials such as fine wool, silk, and cotton. Silk may be used to highlight intricate details, adding a luxurious sheen to the rug's surface. Tabriz rugs are known for their meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional quality.

4.     Size and Shape: Tabriz Persian rugs come in various sizes, ranging from small accent rugs to large room-sized carpets. They are available in rectangular, square, and round shapes, catering to different design preferences and spatial requirements.

5.     Quality and Collectibility: Tabriz rugs are highly esteemed for their exceptional quality, artistic merit, and cultural significance. They are considered among the finest Persian rugs and are prized by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Authentic Tabriz rugs are valuable investments due to their craftsmanship and enduring popularity.

6.     Cultural Significance: Tabriz Persian rugs are an integral part of Iran's cultural heritage, representing centuries of weaving tradition and artistic innovation. They are treasured as symbols of Persian artistry and craftsmanship, reflecting the region's history, traditions, and cultural identity.

7.     Evolution: Over time, the designs and weaving techniques of Tabriz rugs have evolved to incorporate modern elements while retaining their traditional elegance. While classic motifs remain popular, contemporary Tabriz rugs may feature innovative color palettes, abstract designs, or reinterpretations of traditional patterns to appeal to modern tastes.

Antique Tabriz Hadji Jalili that is best of type

Medallion and Animal Carpet, in the Miho Museum

History

In Iran, in the northwestern province of Azerbaijan, sits the city of Tabriz. This ancient city is widely considered the world center of Persian rug production. With a history dating back thousands of years, Tabriz is a city rich in culture and tradition and its weavers are among the most skilled in the world. Tabriz has been well known for its carpet production since the Safavid period ( 1501-1722 A.D.), but some historians believe that Tabriz carpet weaving may have started as early as 224 A.D. Because of its location close to the Turkish border, Tabriz has played a major role in the trade and development of the decorative arts in Iran throughout history.

The 12th to 16th centuries are considered the high point of rug making in Tabriz, and Tabriz carpets from this period are highly sought after. After this time, the city faced natural disasters, invasions by foreign armies, and famine. Interest in the arts and carpet making waned, but the tradition of fine rug weaving continued to be passed down from generation to generation. In the 19th century, a renaissance took place, and the city’s rug makers reemerged as the most respected in the world. Iranian Tabriz rugs from the 19th and 20th centuries are unmatched in beauty and crafted from the highest quality materials, making them some of the most desirable among collectors today

This elaborately designed rug is known as a “Paradise Park” carpet due to its motifs including garden and animal imagery. Persian literature and art has long referenced the idea of heaven on earth, where a garden with water would bear lush plants and trees, often alongside animals both mythical and real. In this case, the term “Paradise Park” refers to a group of Persian carpets in particular that specifically combine motifs such as these in addition to a central medallion. High quality carpets from this group would have been made for members of the upper class in 16th-century Iran.

The Schwarzenberg Paradise Park Carpet located in the museum of islamic art, Doha, Qatar

Hadji Jalili

The legacy of Hadji Jallili (Haji Jalili) endures as the most distinguished figure in the creation of Court design antique carpets from the 19th century. Known for his broad knowledge, particularly in European and Romantic art, Hadji Jallili's work was deeply influenced by both Continental designs and the majestic antique carpets from the "Golden Age of Persian Weaving."

As a devotee of Sufi philosophy, his antique Persian carpets are celebrated for their ability to evoke deep reflection and contemplation in those who view them.

His workshop stood out for its significant commissions, producing antique rugs that utilized only the finest materials, crafted by master dyers and weavers. This, combined with Hadji Jallili's innovative genius as a designer of Persian carpets, resulted in masterpieces

Haji Jalili’s carpets are renowned for their delicate use of pastel colors, including soft shades of blue, green, and various hues of cream. Over time, many of the red dyes in his rugs have aged into beautiful pinks, showcasing a rich blending effect that gives the carpets a harmonious, almost symphonic quality. Like many other Tabriz carpets, Haji Jalili's creations are known for their durability and can still be found today in excellent or near-perfect condition, even after more than a century of use.

During the late 19th Century and early 20th century a drastic revival in carpets occurred. The entire Persian nation geared up for the production for best in class Persian carpets, Tabriz was a leader in this resurgence

Second Revival

A very large beautiful Haji Jalili that is considered a masterpiece of its time

HADJI BABA GANJEH

Hadji Baba Ganjeh was a prominent carpet weaver, primarily associated with Tabriz in northwestern Persia during the late 19th century. He is recognized for producing finely woven carpets with intricate designs, often incorporating vibrant colors, particularly a distinct red more commonly seen in Kirman rugs. His work is rare, with only a few signed pieces surviving, some of which have been sold at major auction houses, showcasing his significance in Persian carpet weaving.

Ganjeh’s rugs stand out for their artistic detail, precision, and use of bold, dynamic designs. His signature style often featured central medallions and corner motifs, enhanced by vine strands and geometric patterns, giving the carpets a sense of depth and movement. His mulberry reds, along with turquoise accents, became a hallmark of his designs, bringing an added layer of sophistication to his works. The intricate filigree and teardrop motifs in the medallions further distinguished his rugs, making them highly sought after by both collectors and Persian nobility. His legacy lives on through the few surviving carpets, which are considered masterpieces of Persian art, reflecting the skill, innovation, and craftsmanship that defined his career.


A beautiful Hadji baba Ganjeh  that is influenced by kirman colours

aLABAF

In the 20th century, a prominent name emerged in the Tabriz carpet-weaving tradition: Abbas Alabaf, a master weaver from a family with a long-standing history in the craft. The Alabaf family legacy, established by Haj Hassan Alabaf in the late 19th century, became well-known for producing some of the finest Persian carpets in the region. Abbas Alabaf continued this tradition, gaining recognition for his intricate designs and the high quality of materials used, particularly silk.

Alabaf's rugs are celebrated for their craftsmanship, fine detailing, and complex patterns, often combining traditional Persian motifs with more contemporary elements. His use of vibrant colors and bold designs became a signature of his work, which set him apart in the evolving market of 20th-century Persian carpets. Alabaf's carpets are highly desirable among collectors and have significantly influenced modern Tabriz rug-making with their blend of traditional artistry and innovative techniques. His contributions helped elevate the status of Tabriz as a center for premium Persian rugs, and his legacy continues to shape the region’s weaving industry today.

Petag

Petag (Persische Teppich-Gesellschaft) was a German company founded in 1911 by Heinrich Jacoby in Hamburg with the goal of reviving the traditional art of Persian carpet weaving. The company focused on producing high-quality carpets in Iran, particularly in Tabriz, a region renowned for its exceptional weaving tradition. Petag emphasized the use of traditional Persian techniques while catering to Western tastes, which helped meet the growing demand for authentic Persian carpets in Europe and America. The company's operations in Iran employed skilled local weavers, and strict quality controls were maintained to ensure that each carpet met the highest standards.

One of the distinguishing features of Petag carpets is their high knot density, often reaching between 400 and 600 knots per square inch, which allowed for incredibly intricate and detailed designs. Petag carpets were crafted using high-quality wool and sometimes silk, giving the rugs a luxurious texture and a beautiful sheen. The company also adhered to the use of natural dyes, which resulted in vibrant yet harmonious color palettes. The designs often featured classic Persian motifs, including medallions, Herati patterns, and floral elements, while also incorporating subtle European influences to appeal to Western buyers.

Today, Petag carpets are highly prized among collectors for their quality, craftsmanship, and historical significance. Their blend of traditional Persian designs with modern innovations has made them some of the most sought-after Persian carpets in the global market. The rarity of these carpets, combined with their exceptional artistry, has ensured that Petag's legacy remains strong in the world of Persian carpet weaving. Petag's contribution to Persian rug-making serves as a bridge between the rich cultural heritage of Iran and the demand for high-quality, authentic Persian carpets in Europe and beyond.

Gharabaghi or Karabaghi

Mohammad Ali Gharabaghi was born in Tabriz in 1943, into an artistic family. His father, originally from Nagorno-Karabakh, had moved to Iran and worked as a carpet artist in Tabriz, establishing a creative foundation for Mohammad. At the young age of 13, Mohammad began his artistic journey by studying under the painter Bajranlu. A year later, he further honed his skills by joining the studio of Rahim Pourkazem, where he trained for six years, learning the intricacies of the craft. In 1963, at just 20 years old, Mohammad became independent and produced his first artwork, which was quickly purchased, setting the stage for his successful career.

While Mohammad deeply respects traditional Persian art, he also believes in the importance of evolving those traditions to suit the modern era. He has always aimed to infuse new elements into his designs, blending heritage with innovation. Mohammad also strongly believes that to be a truly successful designer, one must also be involved in the production process, much like a driver who understands the mechanics of the car they are operating. For this reason, he creates and manufactures his own carpets, never selling his designs to others.

Currently, Mohammad teaches at a university, where he is dedicated to educating the next generation of researchers in the field of Persian art and design, ensuring the continuity of both tradition and innovation in Persian carpet artistry.

A beautifully executed master piece by alabaf

Benlian Tabriz

Edward E. Benlian was an influential Armenian carpet dealer based in London who established a significant weaving workshop in Tabriz, Iran, during the early 20th century. Born in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) around 1900, Benlian took over his family’s carpet business after the tragic death of his father in 1914. He quickly made a name for himself by leveraging his strong ties to the Armenian community in Tabriz, producing some of the most sought-after Persian carpets of the era.

Benlian’s workshop became renowned for its reinterpretation of classical 16th and 17th-century Safavid designs, using bold geometric patterns and intricate motifs. These carpets were specifically tailored for the European market, featuring a lighter, more refined color palette that appealed to Western tastes. His workshop employed master weavers like Javan Amir Kizi and Mahmud Ghalicheh, and their creations were known for their quality and craftsmanship. A unique feature of Benlian carpets is the distinctive eight-pointed star insignia woven into the border, a signature of authenticity.

Benlian’s carpets were highly regarded for their precise execution, high knot density, and use of premium materials such as fine wool and silk. These attributes, along with his blending of traditional and modern styles, ensured his rugs remained popular among collectors. His work continued to influence Persian carpet-making well into the mid-20th century, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of Tabriz carpets.

A modern tabriz that is well executed by the karabagh workshop