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| The Heritage of Persian Isfahan and Nain Rugs |
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Isfahan is one of the most beautiful Persian cities. Although Tehran is the capital of Iran, Isfahan must be regarded as the heart of the country. A history dating back more than 5000 years Parthians, Seljuks, Mongols and Safavids fought here, established their courts, and left behind evidence of their power and their culture. Mosques, palaces, and squares, gates and towers, secular and religious monuments are their heirlooms. The domes of mosques and minarets are adorned with gold or the most beautiful ceramic tile-work. |
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Persian Nain Rug |
| Artifacts in precious metals and fine textiles, enamelware and paintings all point to the magnificent history of a city that established highest cultural standards. The 16th and 17th century under the rule of Shah Abbas the Great is regarded as the Golden Age.. Isfahan was a paradise of art and beauty. Carpets commissioned by the Shah for palaces and other royal buildings kept weavers busy throughout his reign. Royal patronage of course created even more demand for the finest carpets from the courtiers of Shah Abbas, and from extremely wealthy merchants. It's not surprising that some of the finest and most magnificent carpets were woven in this era. When the city was invaded by the Afghans in 1722, there was a decline. The royal household of the invader, Nadir Shah moved to Mashad in the north east of Persia and the weavers of Isfahan lost their royal patronage |
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| It was not until the 1920's that large-scale workshop production of carpets was reintroduced. Weavers were brought in from Kashan and elements of the designs of Kashan are evident. Soon Isfahan together with it neighbouring city of Nain was again producing some of the best weaving in the world. Rugs and carpets were woven on to cotton or silk foundations, with a close weave achieved by using the Persian knot. The wool yarn used in the pile is soft and lustrous, and given strength by the fibres being tightly packed together by such close weaving. This brings many benefits. A tightly woven rug enables the weaver to produce a much sharper and more clearly defined pattern. They often weave silk highlights into their designs that catch the light and sparkle as you walk across the carpet. The fragile silk yarn is supported and protected by the wool. The tighter the weave the more vertical the fibres stand. As a result it is only the tip of the fibre that is walked on and this prolongs the life expectancy of the carpet. Marks and stains are held in the top surface of the carpet and if they cannot be cleaned off, they with eventually wear away. As a very fine carpet grows old the colour begin to fade and mellow. With wear the wool will achieve a lustrous patina |
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