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  The history of handmade carpet dates back to the Sasanian and the Achaemenian era and in general hundreds of years before AD. From that day on, when there is talk of handmade carpet, the name of Iran shines.

  Proof of this is to be found in Cyropaedia written by Xenophon, a Greek historian between the years 430 to 345 BC, in which he wrote that in order to have a soft floor, Iranians spread rugs on their bedding. In Pahlavi language, anything that could be spread was called a Farsh /fae ɹ [ʃ]/ meaning carpet and vistarag /vistaerag/ meaning spreading.

Persian carpet path of evolution

  The path of the evolution of handmade carpet by relying on Iranian’s art and innate talent has been and is an ever-growing one. In a way that today Iran is one of the biggest manufacturers and exporters of carpets in international markets.

  The Safavid era is known for the era of peak and flourish of Iranian rug and carpet. Proof of this is all the valuable hand-woven carpets which is the art of the carpet weavers’ experts of Safavid era are available in carpet museum. But in the Qajar era because of economic weakness this art fell from prosperity and significance.

   During the reign of Abbas the great or Abbas I, flourishing of the art of carpets increased and carpets were made in order to be traded and sold to India and Europe. Consequently, little by little carpet found its place in economy and trade. For instance, Sigismund II Augustus, king of Poland, ordered carpets as dowry for his daughter that in all of them the logo of Poland was woven.

  In the last quarter of 19th century and in time of the Qajar rulers, weaving carpets revived again. During the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah all the old and outdated Persian carpets in Turkish markets, which were made to sell Persian carpets, were quickly sold. For this reason Tabrizi merchants, by establishing workshops in Arak, Tabriz, Kerman and Mashhad, proceeded to obviate the need of market for new carpets. And this act set a new date in carpet weaving.

  Therefore export of carpets thrived and step by step ordinary people in Europe spread carpets in their homes.

The oldest Persian hand-woven carpets

Pazyryk carpet

One of the oldest rugs found named Pazyryk, dates back to 2400 years ago, pertains to the Achaemenian era and for this reason it is known as an Iranian carpet. This carpet was found in the frozen grave of one of the Scythians leaders in Pazyryk era 80 km from Outer Mongolia and disannulled the claim that connected the art of carpet weaving to Central Asian tribes and Turkish art.


Pazyryk’s carpet border

  This carpet has one border with two parallel lines and almost square-like flowers. The next row are soldiers which their shape and special hat clearly prove their originality and being Iranian.

  Rudenko says: "the history of this carpet is known by the shape of the horse riders. The way that the horses are shown that there is rug instead of a saddle and fabric on their chest is a sign of Assyrians. But many details and the way horses’ tails are tied on the Pazyryk carpet, are also seen on embossed Persepolis patterns."

  This carpet is currently kept in Leningrad Hermitage museum and a woven sample of it is currently available in Carpet Museum of Iran.

Baharestan Carpet

Baharestan Carpet is another old handwoven Iranian carpet which in many books it is regarded as a great example of Persian carpet. This carpet dates back to the Sasanian period and was used to decorate Khosrow Parviz or also known as Khosrow II, palace.

Regarding this carpet, Abu Ali Miskawayh has stated that besides gardens and lush green fields which are seen on it, the texture of this Brocade carpet too is decorated by stones and precious gems and it was found ineffable and priceless at that time.

Ardabil Carpet

Ardabil rug is a pair of Exquisite carpet with global reputation that during the reign of Tahmasp I was woven for the shrine of his ancestor, Sheikh Safi Al-Din Ardabili. One of these precious carpets is currently kept in Victoria and Albert Museum of London and the other is kept in Los Angeles County Museum of Art.


Ardabil Carpet - Victoria and Albert Museum of London

  This hand-woven Persian carpet has a big Medallion (Toranj), round and having 16 feathers in the middles and a quarter of the Medallion in the margins is medallion design – Corner that its weaver is the great Maghsoud Kashani.

  A sample of this carpet has recently been woven and was exposed to public view in the tomb of sheikh Safi-ad-Din in Ardabil.

  Another property and beauty of this ancient carpet is that one of Hafiz poems is woven on it:

Save Thy threshold, my shelter in the world

Save this door, my fortress – place is none


Woven poem on the margin of Ardabli Carpet - Los Angeles County Museum of Art

In one word

Today handwoven carpet has turned into the most extensive art in Iran and is also well known in international markets. Because of their color and variety of patterns, Persian carpets gained a special reputation and authenticity.


  • Feb 25, 2021
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