Fine Early Isfahan Carpet

The city of Isfahan, in central Persia, rose to prominence during the 16th Century, when the Safavid ruler, Abbas the Great, made it his capital – from this period on, it served as a major centre for the arts, renowned for its school of painting, as well as for the exceptional carpets woven in its workshops, commissioned to adorn the royal palaces- many of the surviving court-quality carpets from this era were produced in Isfahan. 

This early Isfahan carpet was created before the commercialisation of traditional workshop weaving at the turn of the century, and so boasts a particularly crisp clarity in its drawing, thanks to the density of knots in its weave, and a rare sense of creativity in its composition. 

The charming design in the field features scrolling vegetal motifs around the central medallion in fine vegetable-dyed tones of muted burgundy and faded sky blue, over a complimentary ivory ground. 

This Isfahan carpet is in very good practical condition, still retaining its original fringes and borders on all sides, despite some minor age-related restoration, completed to a high standard, and some areas of thin pile – its hand-spun wool and vegetable dyes have lent its colours a charming patina. 

A handsome early example to complement either a classic oor contemporary setting.