CENTRAL PERSIA, FIRST HALF 17TH CENTURY

THE FOLLOWING CARPET REPRESENTS THE PINNACLE OF SAFAVID CARPET WEAVING DURING THE REIGN OF SHAH ABBAS (1587-1629). IN 1597, SHAH ABBAS MOVED THE PERSIAN CAPITAL TO THE CITY OF ISFAHAN, WHERE HE ESTABLISHED ROYAL MANUFACTORIES TO PRODUCE CARPETS FOR EXPORT, AS DIPLOMATIC GIFTS AND FOR THE PERSIAN NOBILITY. THERE WAS CONTINUOUS DEMAND FOR THE CARPETS WITH THEIR CLASSIC RUBY-RED GROUNDS, SPIRALING TENDRILS AND FLOWERING PALMETTES. THESE CARPETS ARE AMONG THE FINEST EVER CREATED IN WOOL AND SILK. FREQUENTLY FEATURED IN DUTCH AND FLEMISH PAINTINGS OF THIS PERIOD, SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY ISFAHAN CARPETS LATER FOUND POPULARITY AMONG AMERICAN COLLECTORS.