Object Description
Fine c. 1890 Tabriz Carpet
6.54 x 4.44 m
The city of Tabriz in Northwest Persia has long been known as a centre for Persian arts, culture, and literature, but especially for the quality of its carpets, with a tradition dating back as early as the 14th Century. Thanks to its location, incorporating influences from nearby Azerbaijan and Turkey, its weavings are among the most diverse of any city in Iran, and antique Tabriz carpets are especially distinguished by their tight weaves and close adherence to the traditions of Classical Persian rug weaving design.
This sophisticated 19th Century example features a restrained, earthy colour palette, with a muted tan ground providing a complementary backdrop to the variety of vegetable-dyed colours in its simple, overall design, including tones of ivory, grey, various greens, and tobacco – rather than the more traditional deep reds and navy blues. The central field is framed by over a dozen individual creative borders. Being an early piece, this carpet has a remarkable quality, lending a crisp clarity to its drawing.
Retained in very good practical condition for everyday use, the vegetable-dyed colours of this Tabriz carpet have taken on a charming patina, with some areas of minor age-related wear.
A stylish Tabriz carpet, with an understated grace which would lend itself to a wide variety of settings, rare in this large format.