Persian Tabriz Botanic Light Blue, Cream and Rust Handwoven Wool Rug

An unusual early 20th century Tabriz antique carpet from Northwest Persia, the light blue field with a lozenge lattice overall formed of cream and rust broad leafy bands containing hooked-palmettes and enlarged abstract leaves within a rust cartouche border.

Tabriz, the capital of the northwestern Iranian province of Azerbaijan, has for centuries enjoyed a great reputation as a center of Persian culture. Under the benign patronage of Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629), artists and artisans designed illuminated manuscripts, embroidered silks, painted miniatures and fabricated metal work in the Safavid style. It was in this fertile, creative atmosphere that the weavers of Tabriz oriental rugs for the Court were inspired to reach for new artistic heights and created exceptional oriental rugs and Persian carpets. The art of carpet-weaving was handed down from generation to generation and considered a family treasure, allowing artists to ply a respected trade.

The early eighteenth century saw the end of the Safavid Empire and the decline of the town of Tabriz with its legendary craftsmanship falling into disuse. Under the Qajar Dynasty (1786-1925) the workshops of Tabriz were gradually revived and by the 1880's another golden age was underway and Tabriz again began to reestablish its position as the center for the export of Persian rugs to the West.