History of Iranian handmade carpet
History of Iranian handmade carpet
A part of the culture and civilization of any country is the artworks. Handmade carpet is also one of these artworks and we always hear the name of Iran next to handmade carpet. Iranian handmade carpets have thousands of years old.
During the rule of the Mongols (13th and 14th centuries AD), woven carpets reached a very high level of beauty and technique. The flourishing of this industry probably coincided with the rule of Ghazan Khan (1307-1295 AD). But the peak of the classic Iranian carpet, which is remembered as the Iranian carpet renaissance, was the time of the Safavid sultans (1499-1722 AD), especially during the rule of Shah Tahmasab I (1524-1587 AD) and Shah Abbas Kabir (1629-1629). 1587 AD) have registered. From this period, about 3000 carpets have been preserved in the world 's major museums or in private collections.
With the occupation of the country by the Afghans (1721-1722 AD), the carpet and rug industry declined. In the 19th century, Iranian carpets, especially the exquisite carpets of the Tabriz region, made their way to Europe. From the European countries, representatives were sent to all the countries of the Middle East, and with a very intense competition, they collected all the old and antique carpets and sent them to Constantinople, which was still the most important carpet market in the Middle East.
After that, when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC, he introduced the art of carpets. It has been said that in the tomb of Cyrus, who was buried in Persepolis, he was covered with the most expensive carpets. Even before him, the people that live in dessert had information about knotted carpets. They used durable wool for their work from their flocks of sheep and goats.
After the period of Arab caliphate rule, one of the Turkish tribes named Seljuk conquered Iran. Seljuk' women had a special skill in weaving carpets with Turkish knots. Turkish knots were used in Azerbaijan and Hamadan provinces which were under the influence of Seljuks for a long time.
Perhaps the most important history of the carpet industry in Iran is related to the period of the Safavid rulers (1722-1499). In fact, the strongest evidence of this craft goes back to this period. There are approximately 1500 preserved works in museums and collections around the world.
In Iran, during the reign of Shah Abbas (1571-1629), Business, Art And industry became Blooming. the king Abbas encouraged People to contact and exchange with Europe. He also lunches a large workshop for artists were worked to weave the best and most magnificent of carpets. Most of these carpets were woven from silk with gold and silver threads that decorated them.
The era of carpet workshops in Iran ended with the invasion of Afghans (1722). The Afghans destroyed Isfahan until 1736 when they ruled Iran, until a young ruler from Khorasan named Nader Khan became the Shah of Iran. During the entire reign of Nader Shah, all time and energy were spent fighting the Afghans, Turks, and Russians. During this period and after his death (1747), no carpets of any value were woven, and this custom and tradition was only carried out by the people who lived in tents and the artists of this industry. It was followed in small towns.
In the last quarter of the 19th century and during the Qajar rulers, this occupation started again. The carpet industry flourished again by sending it to Europe (from Tabriz to Istanbul). At the end of the 19th century, some European and American companies came to Iran and sent this art and craft to the market of their own country.
Valley on the border of Mongolia, Siberia, around 1945 AD, is a carpet that is probably Iranian due to the absolute similarity of its motifs with the common designs of the Achaemenid period. Many of these carpets are woven in Paris or areas under Iran's cultural and political domination.
Overview original theme of Iranian carpets
Iranian handmade carpets made in three themes: Toranji, Kheshti and Afshan.
• Toranj Theme
• The toranj theme has more fans. In this pattern, the toranjs (meaning fruit) are in the center of the carpet and in the shape of a circle. It is like a central frame and the corner appears obliquely in the four corners of the carpet.
• Kheshti Theme
• This theme has several rectangles that are called Khesht and inside each Khesht, a separate map and design is woven. This carpet design can accommodate several different designs.
• Afshan theme
• This theme made from elements of flowers, leaves, stems, birds, etc. that this object covered throughout the carpet.
The most important cities of Iran that are famous in the handwoven carpet industry
Each origin in Iran produces carpets with its own characteristics. In the following, some of the origins of the famous handmade carpets that made:
Tabrizi handmade carpet
Tabriz is one of the best brands of handmade carpet producers in Iran and the world. Tabrizi carpets are one of the most diverse handmade carpets in Iran. Among the most important features of the carpets of this region, we can point out their high strength and density. Tabrizi weavers use the Turkish style of weaving carpets. Turkish brands and top weavers always weave their name and brand in the margins next to handmade.
Kashan handmade carpet
Kashan, the cradle of carpets and rugs, has been the owner of carpet weaving civilization since the distant past. Some experts consider the carpet weaving civilization to belong to the several thousand-year-old civilizations of Kashan. Kashan carpets have been displayed in most of the ancient and contemporary handicraft museums around the world as a certificate of handmade carpet. The quality and beauty of Kashan handmade carpets is so great that this city is known as the birthplace of handmade carpets in the world. Among the most important features of the carpets of this region, we can point out the variety of colors and their elegance.
Isfahan handmade carpet
Isfahan has always been a noble and original hand in the industry. One of the most famous handmade carpets in the world in Isfahan belongs to the Naini weavers. Nain and Isfahan have always played an important role in the production of luxurious, elegant and collectible handmade carpets. In these areas, they use the style of Persian weaving, which is usually the carpets of this area, delicate and thinner than the carpets of other origins.
Kerman handmade carpet
The designs and patterns of Kerman handmade carpets are at a very high level in terms of variety and beauty, to the point where the famous traveler Marco Polo saw the Kerman carpets and fell in love with the handwoven carpets of Iran. the carpets of this region are mostly detailed, creative and highly decorated. The main texture of the carpets in this region is knotted. Therefore, Kerman carpets, like Tabrizi carpets, have very high strength and elegance.
Qom handmade carpet
Qom province is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of modern handmade carpets. All those who are interested in handmade carpets should check the carpets of Qom province, which are all handmade and full of designs and patterns of flowers. If you are looking for very valuable silk carpets, Qom Handicrafts are one of the best handmade silk carpet brands. These carpets, due to being silk, have a lot of density and elegance among the Iranian handmade carpets.
Turkmen handmade carpet
Carpet weaving has always been one of the top specialties of the great and authentic Turkmen people in the north of Iran. Turkmens have great skills in carpet and flower weaving industry. The handmade carpets of this region are mostly dynamic and very thick. Turkmens also use the Turkish style of weaving carpets. The designs and patterns of these carpets are mainly composed of traditional and symmetrical symbols.
Ardabil handmade carpet
Hearing the name of the Ardabil handmade carpet may turn the mind of a carpet expert to the famous Ardabil carpet, which is currently in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This carpet was actually woven in Kashan, but it was located in a mosque in Ardabil and was finally sold to cover the costs of the mosque 's renovation.
Hamadan handmade carpet
Hamedan city is the commercial center of carpets that are woven by hundreds of people from the surrounding cities and villages. It should be noted that they can be identified by their traditional patterns and sizes. The patterns of these carpets are very diverse and there are carpets with medallion patterns as well as similar and repeated patterns. Among these individual models, the most common design is the Herat design.
The challenges of the Iranian carpet industry in the contemporary era
Iran’s carpet industry is facing various challenges in the modern era. One of the most important challenges is competing with machine - made carpets. The emergence of new manufacturing techniques and the ability to quickly and cost - effectively produce carpets has led to an influx of machine imitations of traditional Iranian designs. These machine - made carpets often lack the artistic and cultural importance that is known as the characteristic of the original Iranian handmade carpets.
In addition, political and economic challenges have affected the Iranian carpet trade. The sanctions imposed on Iran have limited the country 's ability to export fine works. This has led to a change in the world market and competition in other regions and countries that produce carpets, which benefit from lower labor costs and more cost - effective production methods.