Ghalin History

TITLE: Silk Medallion Carpet

ORIGIN: Center of Iran, Kashan, Isfahan Province

EOCH. PERIOD: Safavid Empire, Iran

DATE: Second half of the 16^th Century

MATERIAL: Silk

TECHNIQUE: Persian knot, 810,000 knots per sq. m (523 knots per sq.in)

DIMENSIONS : 244 x 150 cm (96 x 19 in.)

• Warp of Silk
• Weft of Silk
• Silk Pile

LOCATION: Collections of the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum), Munich, Germany

NOTE:

This Persian silk carpet stands out as one of the most exquisite examples of its kind. Its design is resplendent with flowers, both embellishing the background and gracing the expansive border, featuring a prominent central “Toranj.” Two distinctive design elements set this carpet apart from others in its class. Firstly, its wide border is adorned with decorations reminiscent of palm leaves, encircling the central “Toranj” and bestowing a unique beauty rarely found in Persian carpets.

Another distinguishing feature is the outer border, consisting of three parts like many counterparts; however, the central portion surpasses the others significantly in width. This central border envelops the main background of the carpet, creating an effect akin to a painting within a frame. The border, mirroring the background, showcases floral motifs complemented by Chinese art-inspired patterns. A Strapwork surrounds the central medallion, drawing parallels with two other carpets exhibiting a similar feature—one housed in the Metropolitan Museum of New York and the other in the Coimbra Museums in Portugal.