Silk & Wool Isfahan Carpet

Silk & Wool Isfahan Carpet

In the loop of Serafian

Size: 3 foot 6 inch by 5 foot 4 inch.

This is a Persian masterpiece. I recently had the chance to acquire the collection of an old friend who has decided to return to his home in Iran. He attributed this beautiful Isfahan Carpet to the Serafian work shop. This rug is fine even for an Isfahan. The back is very even and shows the signs of the best workshop production. Comparing it with published examples of Serafian Isfahan this certainly looks like those pieces attributed to the second generation Serafian workshop.

The design is accentuated by an overlay of spiral tendrils with arabesque leaves. In my studies of classical carpets I have seen over and over that most carpet designs come from the east. No matter what I look for it seems to be found earliest in Central Asia or China. The exception is the Arabesque. These leaves seem to be from the west in the areas closest to the Mediterranean. I suspect that this design came east with the spread of Islam. I mention the Arabesque leaves because the focal point of this piece is the extremely graceful and balanced Islimis.

576 per square inch (8928 per square decimeter).

Serafian (?) Isphahan Carpet. Isphahan, Persia. The latter part of the Pahlavid dynasty (Post W.W.II).

Size: 3 foot 6 inch by 5 foot 4 inch.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 24 knots per horizontal inch and 24 knots per vertical inch. 576 per square inch (8928 per square decimeter)

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: Silk

Weft: Silk

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Ends: Warp fringe.

Selvages: 2 cord overcastting blue wool.

Handle: thin fine medium handle.

Further Notes: Excellent as new

Very Fine Isphahan Workshop Carpet

This rug is very fine with a knot count of 576 per square inch (8928 per square decimeter). The back is also very even for an Isphahan. Please note the carnations in the border.

There is a fine line between City Carpets and Workshop Carpets. A simple trick for non-experts to recognize the difference is to look at the corners. This carpet has perfectly resolved corners so it is obviously the product of a workshop with strict adherence to the cartoon. City Carpets will not generally show the same meticulous attention to detail that we expect in Workshop Carpets

For Further Reading: Guide to Rugs & Books

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Silk & Wool Isfahan Carpet