Iranian Carpet
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A Persian carpet (Persian: فرش ايرانى, romanized:
farš-e irâni [ˈfærʃe ʔiːɾɒːˈniː]) or Persian rug (Persian: قالی ايرانى,
romanized: qâli-ye irâni [ɢɒːˈliːje ʔiːɾɒːˈniː]),[1] also known as
Iranian carpet, is a heavy textile made for a wide variety of
utilitarian and symbolic purposes and produced in Iran (historically
known as Persia), for home use, local sale, and export. Carpet weaving
is an essential part of Persian culture and Iranian art. Within the
group of Oriental rugs produced by the countries of the "rug belt", the
Persian carpet stands out by the variety and elaborateness of its
manifold designs.
Persian carpets and rugs of various types were woven in parallel by
nomadic tribes, in village and town workshops, and by royal court
manufactories alike. As such, they represent miscellaneous, simultaneous
lines of tradition, and reflect the history of Iran and its various
peoples. The carpets woven in the Safavid court manufactories of Isfahan
during the sixteenth century are famous for their elaborate colours and
artistical design, and are treasured in museums and private collections
all over the world today. Their patterns and designs have set an
artistic tradition for court manufactories which was kept alive during
the entire duration of the Persian Empire up to the last royal dynasty
of Iran.