Ghalin History

TITLE: Khorasan Floral Carpet

ORIGIN: North-East Iran, Khorasan

EOCH. PERIOD: Safavid Empire, Iran

DATE: End of the 16^th Century

MATERIAL: Wool, Cotton

TECHNIQUE: Persian knot, 200,000 knots per sq. m (129 knots per sq.in)

• 40 knots per 10 cm. across
• 50 knots per 10 cm. lengthwise

DIMENSIONS : 782 x 480 cm (308 x 190 in.)

• Warp of Unbleached Cotton
• Weft of Unbleached Cotton
• Wool Pile

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

NOTE:

The primary background of this carpet is adorned with small floral and leaf patterns, a design that reached the height of popularity during the reign of Shah Abbās the Great. Patterns featuring flowers without animals are typically reserved for religious spaces, as the inclusion of animal imagery is considered disrespectful in Iranian culture within sacred settings.

The carpet’s border is divided into three parts, with the central section notably larger, providing a distinctive frame for the entire piece. Unlike the intricate background, the border design features larger patterns of flowers, leaves, geometric motifs, and cloud-band strips. This contrast in design elements adds visual interest to the overall composition.

The carpet is believed to originate from Khorasan in the northeast of Iran, most likely woven within one of the carpet weaving workshops in Mashhad city.