(#H1360) approx. 410x290cm Hand-knotted Kashan (Kashan) Persian carpet

Isfahan carpet

The city of Isfahan is located in central Iran, at the foot of the Zagros Mountains. It has a rich history of carpet making, and during the reign of Malik Shah I. and later by Shah Abbas the Great, Isfahan was chosen as the capital of Persia (Iran). The history of carpet production in Isfahan has been interrupted several times, mostly due to occupations and military invasions. Also spelled and pronounced Isfahan, Sepahan, Esfahan or Hispahan, the city reached its peak during the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736), particularly during the reign of Shab Abbas, when all Persia around the city of culture became one renaissance of art came. Many cultures have settled in Isfahan over the centuries, and even today this cosmopolitan city abounds with intricate works of art, beautiful mosques, bridges, palaces and world-renowned architecture. Besides the architecture and fine carpets, Isfahan is also known for its textiles, arts, steel, crafts and metalwork, as well as for its traditional foods and sweets. Isfahan carpets are of excellent quality, made from soft cork wool (often with a silk trim or underlay) and a tightly woven pile. The carpets that are knotted in this city are perhaps the best and most valuable in the whole world. The most common motif is a central medallion surrounded by tendrils or flowers, usually in red, blue, or indigo on an ivory ground. Other popular elements and motifs include vases, garden and tree of life motifs, Shah Abbasi motifs and pictorial representations. The inspiration for the design of the carpets comes from traditional motifs and patterns, nature, poetry and great poets, but also from the city's rich architectural history; the famous mosque of Shah Lutf Allah is a particular muse for many carpets made in this great city. A large Isfahan rug with a layered pattern A beautiful Isfahan rug with a traditional medallion design and coloring An intricate Isfahan rugThe number of knots per square inch in rugs knotted in Isfahan can vary from 120 to more, but is usually more than 200 if knotted in the city itself and not in a surrounding town or village. Many Isfahan rugs are knotted from silk, making them extremely fine and valuable. Sizes vary but most are medium to large. The most famous weavers include the Seirafian family and their workshops. Some of the most expensive carpets in the world come from Isfahan. Many of them were knotted before the Afghan invasion and thus date from before the 17th century. Polish carpets, world famous for their silver and gold threads, were also knotted in Isfahan, not Poland as the name might suggest. A Safavid carpet made from silk and wool from Isfahan was sold for $4,3 million A Safavid carpet from Isfahan was sold at auction house Christie's for $4,45 million The most expensive Isfahan carpet ever sold was $4,65 million From the ten most expensive carpets ever sold, three came from Isfahan, confirming that the “City of Art” is one of the most important locations for the production of handmade floor art. Left to right: a Safavid-era Isfahan pole woven from silk, wool and wire (left). This rug was sold at Sotheby's in 2009 for $4,3million, which was £2,75million at the time. Measuring 1,6 x 1,1 m, the rug fetched an unbelievable price of €2,44 million. $ per square foot. At the time of writing, it is the ninth most expensive carpet in the world. However, inch for inch, it is the second most expensive rug ever sold. Another Safavid-era rug, this Isfahan silk rug (centre) was part of Doris Duke's collection and was sold at Christie's in 2008 for $4,45 million. At the time of the auction, this rug was the most expensive ever sold. The carpet, measuring 2,3 x 1,7 m, cost the private collector an unbelievable 1,14 million dollars per square meter. The carpet is currently the 7th. most expensive carpet in the world. Sotheby's sold this Isfahan rug (right) from the William A. Clark in 2013 for $4,65 million.