Isfahan Seirafian | 154 x 101 cm | Nr. Z-2674

Isfahan Seirafian

Delivery time	2 days
Origin	Persia
Dimensions	154 cm x 101 cm (= 1.56 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: kurk wool
knots	810.000
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 – like this Isfahan – are especially sought after. The late master knotter Haj Agha Reza Seirafian lived between 1881 and 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 patterns and designs of Haj Agha Reza Seirafian.

Material

The pile of this Isfahan Seirafian was knotted from what is known as kork wool. Kork wool – also spelled kurk – is a particularly fine-threaded knotting yarn that feels almost velvety. Kork wool is taken from the neck, the belly and the inner sides of the sheep's legs and is of especially high quality.

The weft threads of this Isfahan Seirafian are cotton. Pure silk was used for the warp threads.

Condition

This Isfahan Seirafian has had admirers before you. Some areas of the rug are discoloured. The pile has thinned evenly. It was knotted around 56. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. Despite its age, it is therefore in very good condition.