Ghalin History

TITLE: Floral Carpet with Arabesques

ORIGIN: Center of Iran, Isfahan or North-East of Iran, Mashhad, Khorasan or Herāt, Afghanistan

EOCH. PERIOD: Safavid Empire, Iran

DATE: First half of the 17^th Century

MATERIAL: Wool, Cotton

TECHNIQUE: Persian knot, 410,000 knots per sq. m (265 knots per sq.in)

DIMENSIONS : 432 x 258 cm (170 x 102 in.)

• Wool Pile

LOCATION: Collection of the Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan, Italy

NOTE:

This carpet boasts an intricate, asymmetrical design incorporating flowers, palm leaves, and foliage, rendering it one of the most complex designs in its class. The border of the carpet mirrors the background design, featuring curved flower decorations with smaller floral embellishments.

The origin of this carpet sparks debate among experts. Some attribute it to Isfahan, citing the “paired” knots and the stylistic resemblance to carpets woven in the Safavid court’s carpet workshops. Conversely, others associate it with Herāt in present-day Afghanistan, given its historical connection to Iran during the Safavid era. Another perspective suggests the city of Mashhad in Iran as the weaving origin. This theory ties to the promotion of Shia religion during the Safavid era, leading to heightened artistic activities in Mashhad due to the presence of the shrine of the 8th Shiite Imam. Carpet weaving, particularly in Mashhad, gained prominence during the Safavid period, often involving the creation of votive gifts presented at the shrine of the eighth Shiite Imam, Ali Ibn Musa al-Reza.