 The
Persian rug is an essential part of Iranian art and culture and dates
back to the Bronze Age. Known as the home of the original Oriental rug,
Iran was once the most powerful empire in the Middle East. The greatest
period of Persian rug weaving was during the reign of the Safavid
Dynasty (1502-1722), mainly during the rule of Shah Tahmasp (1524-76)
and Shah Abbas I (1588-1629). Shah Abbas himself was a skillful Persian
rug weaver. The Safavid rulers established royal Persian rug weaving
workshops in the cities of Kashan, Kerman, Esfahan, Joshaqan, Tabriz,
Yazd, Shiraz, Heart, and Sabzevar. As a result, Persian rug weaving
evolved from a nomadic craft into a sophisticated art. The earliest
surviving Persian rug dates from the Safavid dynasty. However, painted
depictions prove a longer history of production. Common motifs used in
the Persian rug weaving of this period include scrolling vine networks,
arabesques, palmettes, medallions, and overlapping geometric designs.
Humans and animals were rarely depicted because it was forbidden by
Islamic religion, although hunting scenes were occasionally produced.
The major classical centers of Persian rug weaving were in Tabriz
(1500-1550), Kashan (1525-1650), Herat (1525-1650), and Kerman
(1600-1650). The most prevalent design on a Persian rug from Tabriz is
a central medallion with quartered corner medallions superimposed over
a field of scrolling vine ornaments. Occasionally they were punctuated
with mounted hunters, single animals, or animal combat scenes. Kashan
is famous for silk Persian rug production with designs depicting
hunting scenes. The Herat Persian rug is characterized by a red field
with scrolling vine ornaments and palmettes with dark green or blue
borders. The Kerman Persian rug has a unique structure referred to as
the vase technique and are ornamented with formal gardens and water
channels.
As a testament to their spectacular construction and enduring beauty,
the Persian rug is still sought after and revered today.
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