Ghalin History

TITLE: All-Over Floral Carpet

ORIGIN: Probably Center of Iran, Isfahan

EOCH. PERIOD: Safavid Empire, Iran

DATE: End of the 16^th Century

MATERIAL: Wool, Cotton

TECHNIQUE: Persian knot, 420,000 knots per sq. m (271 knots per sq.in)

• 60 knots per 10 cm. across
• 70 knots per 10 cm. lengthwise

DIMENSIONS : 380 x 296 cm (150 x 117 in.)

• Warp of beige Cotton
• Weft of beige Cotton
• Wool Pile

LOCATION: Collections of the Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran, Iran

NOTE:

The carpet’s design is replete with an abundance of flowers, a characteristic motif prevalent in the carpets of central regions in Iran. The background of the carpet is adorned with numerous flowers, foliage, and the “Tchi” motif. The border of the carpet stands out for its exceptional beauty, drawing parallels in design with the “All-Over Animal and Floral Carpet” housed in the collections of the Österreichisches Museum für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna.

The border design comprises “Toranj” motifs interconnected by cloud-band strips. Notably, the “Toranj” motifs in this carpet exhibit a greater range of colors compared to the Vienna carpet. Experts posit that this carpet originated from one of the carpet workshops of the Safavid court in Isfahan. The resemblance in the border pattern to the Vienna carpet lends credence to the hypothesis that the latter was woven in Isfahan rather than Herat.

A distinctive feature of this carpet is the use of Persian blue, a color widely popular and prevalent in artworks and architecture during the Safavid period. This unique color choice adds to the historical significance and artistic value of the carpet.