Isfahan
If we regard the capital Tehran as the head of Iran, then the centrally positioned Isfahan can be seen as the heart of the country. The 5,000 year old history of the town of Aspadana, chosen by several early ruling dynasties as the center of their empire, would fill many volumes. Parthians, Seljuks, Mongols and Safavids fought here, established their courts, and left behind them evidence of their power and their culture. Mosques, palaces and squares, gates and towers, secular and religious monuments are cultural heirlooms. Every antique tile which covers the minarets and mosque domes is a delight to the collector and so are the countless mosaics. The artifacts in precious metals and textiles, enamel- ware and paintings all point to the magnificence of this city at the foot of the Zagros mountains, which established cultural standards valid in the East and in the West. In the heyday of the city under Shah Abbas the Great, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Isfahan was a paradise of art and beauty'.

Sizes: rug sizes predominate, although the urban workshops make all sizes up to large room size carpets, occasionally up to 15 sq. m (165 sq. ft.).

Colours: the overall colour effect of the new Isfahan is pale, e.g. beige or light blue. However, sometimes as many as fifteen Colours are used for contrast and outlines, including several different red shades.

Patterns: there are numerous, very intricately drawn and precisely executed patterns; floral shapes and arabesque tendril work predominate as well as realistically drawn birds, flowers, palmettos and rosettes. Carpets have central, multi-lobed medallions or, less frequently, repeat patterns. A large Shah Abbas border generally predominates; other floral border designs are taken from the field. Field and borders are clearly separated, often by between two and five minor borders and guard stripes.

Foundation: warps and wefts are of cotton, although wool wefts are also found. Silk Isfahan also have a silk foundation. Gold or silver threads are used for small highlights, recalling the early Polonaise rugs which had precious metal thread in the foundation.

Knots: the good quality, very finely spun wool - often kurk wool - is woven in the Persian knot, with 2,000-5,000 knots per sq. dm (130-320 per sq. in.).

Pile: very thick wool pile, cut medium high to flat, or silk clipped flat to very flat.

Quality: Isfahan carpets are amongst the best of Persian carpets and are as hard wearing as they are decorative. Choice examples are a good investment, especially old and antique pieces which can still be found on the market.

These specifications do not apply to the Armanibaffs' or Isfahan-Luris' woven in Isfahan, although these categories include some very good pieces made from lustrous wool. Armanibaffs are woven in Isfahan by Christian Armenians, in the Turkish knot with up to 1,500 knots per sq. dm (100 per sq. in.) and cut medium high to high. They can be up to 12 sq. m (130 sq. ft.) in size.

The Isfahan-Mir is a nomad carpet from the vicinity of Isfahan usually made from naturally dyed wool, finely woven in the Turkish knot, with up to 1,500 knots per sq. dm (100 per sq. in.) and cut medium high to high.

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Last Update  16 May, 2008