Chinese Isfahan | 243 x 174 cm | Nr. Z-4334

Chinese Isfahan

Delivery time	2 days
Origin	China
Dimensions	243 cm x 174 cm (= 4.23 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots	640.000
Year of manufacture	2005
Condition	pre-owned, but in very good condition (cleaned & restored)
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

The city of Isfahan is one of the architectural jewels of the Islamic world. Isfahan owes its artistic tradition, its historic townscape and its arguably unique architecture to the Safavid dynasty and to Shah Abbas in particular. Floral motifs are typical of the patterns of Isfahan rugs. Designs with fourfold or lengthwise symmetry are widespread, with a medallion in the centre surrounded by arabesques, blossoms or birds. The ground colour is usually a classic red, and a luminous blue and a light beige are typical as well. With more than 15 shades in most cases, though, the Isfahan is decidedly colourful. The borders are often green-blue and decorated with flowering vines and palmettes.

In Iran, the fineness of Isfahan knotting is stated in cheft. Cheft are fine, usually blue vertical lines along the lower end webs. The closer the lines, the finer the knotting.

To this day, many Isfahan rugs carry a discreetly knotted inscription in Persian script along the lower edge, the so-called signature. It names the maker, the provenance Isfahan and often the country as well, either as the word Iran or as the Iranian national flag in green, white and red.

Rugs from the Seirafian workshop are especially sought after. The late master knotter Haj Agha Reza Seirafian lived from 1881 to 1975. Today he is known as the creator of the famous Seirafian rugs. Before he turned to rug production, Haj Agha Reza was a private banker in Isfahan. The Seirafian family still makes rugs today from the templates and designs of Haj Agha Reza Seirafian.

The pattern of this rug is inspired by the designs of classic Chinese Isfahan rugs. This rug, however, was knotted in China.

Material

The pile of this Chinese Isfahan was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a range of impressive qualities: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is thus naturally protected against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, has a regulating effect on the indoor climate and dampens sound.

The weft and warp threads of this Chinese Isfahan are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and pliable, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Chinese Isfahan. It had owners before you who valued and used it. The rug has a few smaller stains. It was knotted around 2005. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. That is why – despite its age – it is in very good condition.