Antique Persian Isfahan Rugs

 

The city of Isfahan (Eşfahan) is now a world heritage site and produces what are arguably the most consistently fine wool pile rugs made anywhere in the world today. Their quality may be matched by individual items from the other major Persian workshop groups, but Isfahan produces far fewer poor quality rugs. Isfahani carpets today are among the most wanted in world markets, having many customers in western countries. Isfahan rugs are knotted on either silk or cotton foundations, with 500-700 Persian knots per square inch, using exceptionally good quality (often Kurk) wool for the pile, which is normally clipped quite low. Very fine museum grade, Isfahan rugs could reach to 900 knots per square inch and even more (e.g., masterpiece by Mohammad Seirafian permanently exhibited in the United Nation Headquarters in New York has around 1350 knots per square inch).

A range of traditional designs are still used including allover Shãh Abbãsi, vase, Tree of Life and pictorial schemes but by far the most popular composition is based on a circular central medallion (derived from the famous mosque of Shah Lutf Allah in Esfahan) set against an elegantly sculpted field decorated with intricately purling vine palmette and floral motifs. In contemporary items the palette is normally more pastel, and technical perfection is generally of greater importance than artistic flair. The most famous name in Isfahan rugs is the Seirafian workshop, which was co-founded by late Haj Agha Reza Seirafian and his seven sons (The Late Mohammad Ali, Mohammad, The Late Mohammad Sadegh,The Late Ahmad, Ali, The Late Hossien, and Mohammad Hassan). Mohammad Seirafian is the most notable Seirafian and arguably the greatest designer and master of Isfahan rug. His rugs are exhibited worldwide. His masterpiece, The Oneness of Mankind Rug, is permanently exhibited in the United Nations in New York. This 25 square meter rug contains the famous verse from the 12th-century Iranian poet, Saadi Shirazi. The verses of the famous poem, “Oneness of Mankind” is woven into the rug in pure gold. His other notable works are permanently exhibited in the Astan Quds Razavi museum, Carpet Museum of Iran, and Niavaran Palace. Mohammad Seirafian is also an author, social commentator, and a philanthropist.