Interesting facts
The Golden Age of the Safavids
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.
Esfahan 1670, miniature of Shah Suleiman with guests
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.
Central detail of the Ardabil carpet (Victoria & Albert Museum London)
Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who traveled through Persia in the 17th century, visited the workshops of Isfahan, where silk carpets were made with gold thread. He also attended a reception at the Shah’s, as we can read in his notes: “The floor of the salon was covered with a magnificent carpet, decorated with gold thread and silk. On a larger platform was another carpet. I placed my gift on a table, which was also covered with a carpet decorated with gold and silver. The Shah entered the salon accompanied by three eunuchs and two elderly men, whose task was to remove his shoes before he stepped on the carpet and to put them on again before he left.”
The Safavid era could be described as a kind of “renaissance” of Persian art. And Persian carpets gained worldwide fame during this time. Having a Persian carpet at home was a privilege. One of the members of an influential English organization, the Middle Temple, wrote to its representative in Iran: “Persian carpets are wonderful. They have brilliant colors and even if someone spills wine or even vinegar on them, the stain is easily removed. Visit as many places as possible, go to large cities and also to small villages. Find out how they dye wool and silk carpets and, if possible, bring with you a master with good knowledge, so that our country can also be richer in the knowledge of making such beautiful carpets.” After the fall of the last king of the Safavid dynasty (Shah Sultan Hossein) and the rebellion of Afghan soldiers in 1721, interest in high art died out in Persia. One of the most important branches of Persian art, namely carpet making, was in decline. Only a small number were still made for mosques and shrines, but these were destroyed, as there were no longer trained and paid people to take care of them. Fortunately for lovers of Persian carpets, some European companies at that time, who traded with Iran, exported some of these court carpets to museums in Europe and America, where they can still be admired today.
A.Krhin
