(#195) 310*215cm Hand-knotted genuine Persian carpet unique – Isfahan pattern 500.000/sqm very fine knot

Isfahan teppich
Persian carpets from Isfahan

Located in central Iran at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, the city of Isfahan has a rich history of carpet making. During the reign of Malik Shah I and later Shah Abbas the Great, Isfahan became the capital of Persia (Iran) explained. The history of carpet making in Isfahan has been interrupted many times, mainly by occupation and military invasions. Also spelled and pronounced Ispahan, Sepahan, Esfahan or Hispahan, the city reached its peak under the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736), particularly under the rule of Shab Abbas, who witnessed a revival of art throughout Persia, whose center was the culture of the city. . Many cultures have settled in Isfahan over time and to this day the cosmopolitan city is full of intricate works of art, impressive mosques, bridges, palaces and world-renowned architecture. Besides architecture and carpets, Isfahan is also known for textiles, arts, steel, handicrafts and metallurgy, as well as traditional foods and sweets.

The carpets knotted in this city are perhaps the most beautiful and valuable in the whole world. The most popular design is a central medallion surrounded by tendrils or flowers, usually red, blue, or indigo blue on an ivory background. Other popular design elements and motifs include vases, garden and tree designs, Shah Abbasi patterns and carvings. The inspiration for the design of the carpet comes from traditional patterns and motifs, nature, poetry and great poets, but also from the city's rich architectural history; the famous Shah Lutf Allah Mosque is a particular muse for many of the carpets made in this great city. A large Isfahan rug with an Isfahan pattern A beautiful Isfahan rug with a traditional colorful medallion pattern An intricate Isfahan rug.

The knots per square inch used on carpets woven in Isfahan can range from 120 to more, but usually exceed 200 and are woven in the city itself rather than in a nearby town or village. Many high-quality Isfahan carpets are made of silk, which makes them particularly fine and noble. Sizes vary but most are medium to large. The most famous weavers are the Seirafian family and their workshops, and some of the world's most expensive carpets come from Isfahan. Many of them were woven before the Afghan invasion, i.e. before the 17th century. Also the famous Polish or Polish carpets with their silver and gold threads were woven in Isfahan and not in Poland as the name might suggest. A Safavid rug from Isfahan made of silk and wool fetches $4,3 million at auction A Safavid rug from Isfahan fetches $4 million at Christie's auction house. 45 million The most expensive Isfahan carpet was sold for $4,65 million.

Out of the 10 most expensive carpets ever sold, three are from Isfahan, confirming the "City of Art" as one of the best places for the art of handmade flooring. From left to right: A Safavid polonaise from Isfahan woven from silk, wool and metal threads (left). This rug was sold at Sotheby's in 2009 for $4,3 million, or £2,75 million at the time. This rug measures just 1,6 x 1,1 meters and sold for a whopping $2,44 million per square metre. As of this writing, the carpet is the ninth most expensive in the world. Another carpet from the Safavid period, this Isfahansilk carpet (center), was part of Doris Duke's collection and was sold by Christies in 2008 for $4,45 million. At the time of sale, the carpet was the most expensive ever sold. The 8-by-5-foot rug cost the private collector a whopping $1,14 million per square foot. The carpet is currently the seventh most expensive in the world.

Sotheby's sold this Isfahan rug (right) from the William A. Clark collection in 2013 for $4,65 million. It measures 13,5 x 4,3 m and is by far the largest at $80.000 per square foot. Although it is the most expensive Isfahan rug ever sold and the sixth most expensive in the world at the time of writing, it is the cheapest per square meter of the three rugs featured. You can click here to view our current Isfahan carpets. If you can't find what you're looking for, or if you're looking for something specific, we can help you find something that suits your needs.
Isfahan carpets are made on a