159

Fine Isfahan Pictorial Rug

New

206 x 126 cm (6' 9" x 4' 2")
Persia, ca. 1920
Condition: very good, mostly good pile, one minor moth damage
Warp: cotton, weft: cotton, pile: wool

Since the Safavid period, the city of Isfahan has been one of the most important centers of Persian art and carpet weaving. Courtly miniature painting, particularly under Shah Abbas I (1587–1629), influenced Persian carpet design for centuries. In the early 20th century, the workshops of Isfahan revived this tradition, producing pictorial carpets of remarkable fineness.

The present carpet features a lively composition of hunting and equestrian scenes set against a light, sand-colored ground within a lush landscape. Magnificently dressed horsemen on richly adorned horses, numerous wild animals, and an idyllic waterscape with fish, birds, and a small bridge dominate the scene. Blue mountain ranges, flowering trees, and finely rendered figures evoke the paradisiacal gardens of classical Persian miniature painting.

Particularly appealing are the extraordinary attention to detail, harmonious colors, and meticulous rendering of the figures and garments. The deep blue border, decorated with figural and floral motifs, provides a striking contrast to the light-colored central field.

A particularly beautiful example of early 20th-century Persian pictorial carpet weaving, impressively illustrating the close relationship between miniature painting and carpet design.

Estimate: € 3000 - 4000


Startpreis / Startingbid

1 500 €