In the heyday of the city under Shah Abbas the Great, in the 16th and 17th centuries,
Esfahan 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 Esfahans 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, palmettos and rosettes. Carpets have central, multi-lobed medallions or less frequently, repeat patterns. A large Shah Abbas border generally predominates; other floral border designs 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 Esfahans 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:
Esfahan 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 Designs:
Armanibaffs or Esfahan-Luris woven in Esfahan, although these categories include some very good pieces made from lustrous wool. Armanibaffs are woven in Esfahan 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.
Esfahan-Mir is a nomad carpet from the vicinity of Esfahan usually 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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