Description of Design and History
This handsome and beautifully colored rug is typical of Tabriz weaving during the late Qajar period. Both in design and palette, it is unmistakably of its time, yet, like many of the finest Tabriz weavings of this major period, it reflects Persia’s great weaving past in many of its motifs. On the brilliant light red field with diamond shape sky blue medallion there is arranged a superbly drawn and colored floral arabesque; the focal points of this design are large, fanciful, lotus palmettos which are associated with the carpets made in Isfahan, Kashan and Kirman in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and known as “Shah Abbas” palmettos after the Safavid ruler of that name.The most interesting and attractive Tabriz with a warm and vivid palette. The dark blue arabesque form of the main border provides a jewel like background for the scheme of the palmettos suspended from a double-stem meander. This major example of Tabriz master weaving from the early “neo classical” period is excellent condition.