Description of Design and History
Kerman,a city and province of southeastern Iran. Rugs have been woven in Kerman since the Safavid period. In the early nineteenth century, Kerman was famed for its production of hand woven shawls. Major rug production began in about 1890. In the early 1900’s most of Kerman’s carpet were exported to America. The rugs of Kerman are woven on a cotton foundation with three wefts between each row of knots .Designs are intricate floral patterns. There are medallion designs all-over designs, panel designs, prayer rugs, pictorial designs and a diaper design and almond design. A very wide variety of colors is used in these rugs. This magnificent example woven in the small city of Laver is a town north of Kerman in southeast Persia. Normally, Laver is much finer quality and fine woven with very smooth wool. This particular exotic example of the fine Laver Kerman carpet from the so called Floral period.The dense profusion of the floral ornaments that enclose the blue color diamond shape medallion and decorated with almond design fill the border as well as central border, is distinguished by that tight pattern control, which is the most essential ingredient of the various Kerman design groups. The carpet’s palette is as definitive as its design, consistently pastel in tonality, predominantly blue and violet, perfectly suited to the floral exuberance of the piece. The restraint of the colors serves to contribute to the compositional cohesion without which a pattern of such luxuriance would disintegrate. Few Kermans will so memorably illustrate both the creativity and discipline this style demands if it is to be artistically coherent. An example of the Persian workshop carpet at its most spectacularly floral level. This magnificent piece woven by Abolqassem Kermani.