Esfahani Style
Isfahan
In the heyday of the city under Shah Abbas the Great, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Isfahan was
a paradise of art and beauty.
Sizes
Rug sizes predominate, although the urban workshops make all sizes up to large room size carpets,
occasionally up to 15 sq.m
Color
The overall color effect of the new Isfahans is pale, beige or light blue. However, sometimes as
many as fifteen colors are used for contrast and outlines, including several different red shades.
Patterns
There are numerous, very intricately drawn and precisely executed patterns; floral shapes and
arabesque tendril work predominate as well as realistically drawn birds, flowers, palmettes and
rosettes. Carpets have central, multi-lobed medallians or less frequently, repeat patterns. A
large Shah Abbas border generally predominates; other floral border desgins are taken from the
field. Field and borders are clearly separated, often by between two and five minor borders and
guard stripes.
Foundation
Warps and Wefts are of cotton, although wool wefts are also found. Silk Isfahans also have a silk
foundation. Gold or Silver threads are used for small highlights, recalling the early Polonaise
rugs which had precious metal thread in the foundation.
Knots
The good quality, very finely spun wool, kurk wool, is woven in the Persian knot, with 2000- 5000
knots per sq. dm (130-320 per sq. in.)
Pile
Very thick wool pile, cut medium high to flat, or silk clipped flat to very flat.
Quality
Isfahan carpets are amongst the best of Persian carpets and are as hard wearing as they are
decorative. Choice examples are a good investment, especially old and antique pieces which
can still be found on the market.
Other Desgins
Armanibaffs or Isfahan-Luris woven in Isfahan, although these categories include
some very good pieces made from lustrous wool. Armanibaffs are woven in Isfahan by Christian
Armenians, in the Turkish knot with up to 1,500 knots per sq.dm (100 per sq. in.) and cut
medium high to high. They can be up to 12 sq. m in size.
Isfahan_Mir is a nomad carpet from the vicinity of Isfahan ususally made from naturally
dyed wool, finely woven in the Turkish knot, with up to 1,500 knots per sq. dm. and cut medium
high to high.
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