Description
Visually stunning traditional medallion and floral Tabriz carpet from northern Iran.
Dazzling jewel tone saturated colors including candy apple red, navy blue, turquoise, green, mint, white, burnt orange, yellow and rose.
Most unusual, the rug also includes tree-of-life motifs with a pair of songbirds in each tree, eight birds in total. The small lovely birds have rather distinct woven red eyes.
Overall condition is very good with minor pile wear. There is a professional repair in one corner, which is difficult to spot when viewing the rug. Initially, I couldn’t find it without turning the rug over to locate. (I’ve shown the repair and the backside of the rug with a silver dollar in the last photo.)
Fringes and side cords are in great shape. No holes, tears, odors, or weak spots.
These particular Tabriz rugs are very rugged and tough, and can be used in a high foot traffic area or under a dining room table with chairs. They last many, many decades.
Wool pile on cotton warp & weft. Tabriz rugs are cut short by the weavers to showcase the exquisite details but they are dense and durable.
Exact size is 13 ft. 1 in. by 9 ft. 9 in. 1970s.
The carpet weighs right around a hundred pounds.
Tabriz produces a large number of handmade rugs — most of which are easy to distinguish from the carpets of other major rug weaving centers in Iran and Turkey.
Tabriz carpets are part of the Azerbaijan weaving tradition within modern Persia. Located in northwest Iran, Tabriz is the capital city of East Azerbaijan Province and is largely populated by ‘ethnic’ Azeri or Azerbaijanis. It is one of the oldest rug weaving centers in the world and makes a huge diversity of types of handmade rugs.
Regarding the illustrious traditions of Tabriz, Nazmiyal states:
Antique Tabriz rugs are distinguished by their excellent weave and by their remarkable adherence to the classical traditions of antique Persian rug design. But they cannot be distinguished by any particular pattern or by their coloration. The city of Tabriz was the earliest capital of the Safavid dynasty, and it can claim to have been a center of carpet production longer than any other city in Iran.
Consequently, it is not surprising that the carpets woven there have been able to preserve the highest technical standards and the most varied repertoire. Antique Tabriz rugs offer classical medallion designs and a host of allover patterns as well in every color imaginable. What sets them apart from other Persian rugs is their quality.
Tabriz has survived repeated destruction by numerous earthquakes and invasions by the Mongols, Tamerlane, Ottomans and Afghans, as well as two Russian occupations. During the late 19th century three Persian master-weavers, Haji Jalili, Sheik Safi and Kurban Dai contributed to Tabriz’s revival and Tabriz rug merchants began exporting Persian antique rugs to Western markets on a large scale. There is no traditional color scheme and the variety of color is limitless, ranging from rich jewel tones to subtle pastels. Tabriz rugs are precisely drawn and executed with care making them extremely popular among designers.
Traditionally, Tabriz has been a city of master weavers. The ateliers in this influential carpet-weaving city established a strong reputation for classicism and quality that is still respected today. Regional carpets feature effortless curve-linear designs, Safavid emblems, allover Herati (fish or Mahi) patterns, spectacular medallions and masterful motifs of all shapes and sizes.
Antique Tabriz rugs have been sought after by rug aficionados for decades. They are not only one of the finest groups of Persian rugs to have been produced in Persia, they are extremely decorative as well. The rugs of Tabriz are among the most beautiful and most desirable of antique Persian rugs, and have been manufactured in the Azeri speaking area of Northern Iran continuously for centuries.
Currently, I have several large handmade Persian carpets for sale. If you’re interested in a large Persian, this would be a good time because once these are gone I won’t be replacing them.
Sanctions on Iran were reintroduced by the kakistocracy in May, 2018. With the importation of additional carpets blocked, it will definitely drive up the cost and value of Persian rugs here in the U.S.
Shipping is $99 in the continental U.S. or free if you arrange a pickup with me.
Please email me with questions or to request more photos. Thank you.
(T0059 O202)