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Vase
design
The pattern
of “Vase” was probably created in the second half of the 16
century corresponding with the reign of Shah Abbas. In the
pattern the field of the carpet is usually divided from side
to side by rows of floral lozenges or some other geometrical
frames, arranged in lattice forms.
Each
individual design contains a Vase or a bunch of flowers. In
the same pattern, either a row of animals or hunters on
horse back can be found.
The group
of “Vase” rugs is generally subdivided into Arabesque
Design, Serrated Leaf, Mehrabi Goldani, repeated Panels and
multiple Medallions.
Unlike the
Medallion carpets this pattern has a design which is woven
in one direction.
Viewed from
the opposite direction, the design appears inverted. Experts
believe that this pattern was woven in Kerman, Kashan,
Esfahan, Tabriz, Yazd and even in Harat. Experts such as
Kurt Erdmann and Charles Ellis believe that the design
originated in Caucasia, but was perfected in Iran.
Arthur Pope
believes that the pattern was created in Josheghan (Central
Iran).
Several
samples of the “Vase” are now kept in museums of New York,
Hamburg, Paris, Milan, Vienna and Tehran.
Hunting scenery design
A carpet of
this design generally depicts hunting with human figures
(usually on horseback) or predatory animals pursuing their
prey amidst fertile undergrowth of various plant life.
Formal
hunting scenes are firmly rooted in the traditions of the
Persian Shahs and Princelings who loved to have themselves
depicted as noble hunters and horsemen.
A small
number of these carpets are connected to the Safavid period.
Numbering
eighteen pieces, fourteen were small in size with dimension
of approximately 2.50x1.50 m.
These
carpets are also decorated with either Corner Medallions
made in silk.
The carpets
were woven in Kashan.. The finest of the remaining four
larger carpets is kept in the museum in Osterreichisches
Vienna, Austria. It is extremely elegant, made entirely of
silk and brocaded with silver and gold. The size is
6.80x3.20 m. and its knots number about 1.270.000 to each
square metre.
Experts
believe that Sultan Mahammad, the skilled painter of Shah
Tahmasb’s Court, who was a pupil of the celebrated Iranian
painter Behzad, designed this incomparable piece.
The animals
depicted in these designs included lion, deer, wild ass,
etc. Pasturing amidst trees and bushes with huntsmen on
horseback or on foot, with bow and arrow.
Tree
and Shrub design
In 16
century, by a combination of the “Medallion” pattern with
shapes of animals and trees, the Iranian artist introduced a
new design called “Tree and Shrub”.
The finest
carpet of this design is found in the Metropolitan Museum of
New York. The Medallion of this carpet is in the form of a
pool of fish, which is surrounded by trees and branches
having beautiful flowers. Experts are of the opinion that
all carpets of this category, which were woven in 16 17 and
18 century, originated in Kordestan and from parts of North
- Western Iran. Lovely and exquisite samples of this design
are kept in the Museum of Philadelphia and the Metropolitan
Museum of New York.
Harati design
The Harati
design derives its name from the city oh Harat (part of
Persia until the last century but now in Afghanistan).
The design
is generally composed of a single floral head, within a
diamond framework flanked by four outwardly curling leaves.
One of this carpets is now in the Metropolitan Museum of New
York and the other one is in the Museum at Vienna.
“Harflti”
design rugs are closely associated with those from Khorasan,
Kordestan, Hamedan and Azarbaijan.
Garden design
The design
is based on the formal gardens of ancient Persia with their
abundance of flora separated by pathways and ornamental
ponds.
They
sometimes take the form of a palace garden seen from above
but more often a garden is simply implied by the
juxtaposition of vegetal and foliate forms.
In the
classical Persian design of gardens the field of the carpet
is divided equally by channels of water into four sections;
named “Chahar bagh” meaning four gardens. Usually, the
centre medallion has the form of a pool containing fishes
and ducks. The water in the pool and channels are woven in
pale blue and beige and on the background of each square are
woven birds and shrubs and a cluster of flowers incarnating
the lively world of animals.
Some of
these carpets are woven in the shape of a Mehrab (a special
place in the mosque where the Imam prays) in the others the
background has been divided into six sections.
Garden
designs are most closely associated with the Kerman weavers
of southern Persia and date back to the 17 and early 18
century. Iran is situated in a dry arid region, where in
many parts there is an endless expanse of desert or naked
mountains.
The people
naturally sought the beauty of nature. All the lovely
designs such as streams, pools, gardens with trees and birds
which are seen in the Persian carpets are an attempt to
bring the lush beauty of nature into their lives.
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