Persian carpet Tabriz / Persian carpet Tabriz

Tabriz is a city located 600 km west of Tehran and is the capital of Azerbaijan Province. The Azari people who live there are the largest ethnic minority in Iran and speak a Turkish dialect. Tabriz is an ancient city that has had an important trading position in the border region for centuries. The Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar are very famous.

Quality carpets from Tabriz have short and strong knots. The characteristic pattern is a motif with a central medallion (Persian: toranj) surrounded by arabesques, tendrils or cypresses ( boteh motif ). Another well-known motif is the motif of the four seasons. Sometimes the greatest Persian poets such as Sadi, Hafez, Firduzi and Omar Khayam are also woven into the carpet.

For thousands of years, Tabriz has been a meeting place for different cultures, and its bazaar is one of the most important trading centers along the ancient Silk Road. The Grand Bazaar is located in the center of the city and consists of several smaller bazaars such as Amir Bazar (jewelry, gold), Mozzafarieh (carpets), and many others. The city experienced its greatest prosperity during the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century, during which time Tabriz was the capital of the Safavid Kingdom. The Safavid dynasty supported the arts, during which priceless masterpieces were created, which today can be seen in all the major museums in the world. (New York, London, Paris, Vienna)

The Safavid dynasty, named after Sufi Muslims and originating from Ardabil in northwestern Iran, adopted Shiite Islam, reunited the country, and encouraged the development of the arts. During their reign, Persian art experienced a veritable renaissance. Calligraphy, painting, leatherwork, architecture, and carpet-making flourished. During this time, Persian court craftsmen, painters, and other artists created fascinating patterns and motifs for carpets that are still imitated today. The masterpieces of the Safavid court carpet makers were so perfect and sophisticated that few have been able to accurately recreate the original Safavid motifs to this day. These masters created around 1,500 court carpets during this period, many of which are world-renowned masterpieces. Safavid kings such as Shah Tahmasp and Shah Abbas established court carpet workshops in the cities of Kashan, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qazvin, Kerman, and many other parts of what was then Persia.

The diaries of European travelers such as Jean Tavernier and Jean Chardin (17th century) are an excellent source for insight into the era of carpet making. Persian carpets began to penetrate the European markets, and one of the most recognizable carpets of this period is the Ardabil carpet, which was made in the early 16th century. Due to its beautiful colors, patterns and extremely fine, silk threads, it is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the older preserved knotted carpets. In the 19th century, it was purchased by a British company and sold for 2000 pounds at the time to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, where it can still be admired today. Its dimensions are 11.53 x 5.34 meters. Expert opinions differ regarding its origin, some argue that it was made in the city of Ardabil, others believe that it came from the city of Mashhad, which of course has no effect on the value of the carpet itself. The lower part of the carpet also bears the signature of the master and a verse by the great Persian poet Hafiz. Shah Abbas made the city of Isfahan his capital (previously Ardabil) and made it the center of all arts. Palaces and mosques were built, which were finished by the most skilled masters and artists he had. He also established a court carpet workshop, where carpets were made not only for the Shah but also for the workplaces and homes of court officials… The Ardabil carpet illustrates the interesting development of Persian carpets in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. With its central medallion and spirals, it resembles the miniatures on the covers of books of that time. Likewise, with its precise patterning and elaborate patterns, it resembles the miniatures of the Safavid court. Another interesting carpet from this period is on display in the Vienna Museum there. It was called the “hunting carpet” because it depicts a hunting motif. This motif is a classic motif of Persian carpets from the 16th century, as shahs and princes liked to be depicted as brave hunters on horseback. The carpet shows a hunter hunting leopards, antelopes and even bears with a bow and spear. The entire carpet is made of silk and measures 6.80 x 3.29 meters. Experts believe that the carpet was made in the city of Kashan under the guidance of the skilled painter Sultan Mahammad, who was a student of the famous Persian painter Bizhad.