Tabriz, capital of the north western Iranian province of
Azerbaijan, has for centuries enjoyed a great reputation as a center of Oriental culture. Its development from a naturally favored oasis at the foot of the volcano Sahand, to today's commercial center, and descriptions of its artists and craftsmen could fill many volumes. The tradition that Tabriz was founded in the 8th century by the wife of Harun al-Rashid, will not bear historical scrutiny. The origins of the town stretch far back into antiquity.
1. Changiz Khan (c.1162-1227)
2. Timur (1336-1405)
3. Shah Ismail I (1501-1524) - Founder of Safavid dynasty
4. Shah Abbas (1586-1628)
All conquered this fulcrum between east and west and made it into one of the great cities of their empires. But it was in Shah Abbas the great (1586-1628) that Tabriz found its most cultured patron. Wars and server natural catastrophes such as devastation by earthquake, have never overwhelmed the town and its people over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, Tabriz saw a blossoming of the fine arts which influenced the development of carpet design. Manuscript illuminators, silk embroiders, miniature painters and metal workers all inspired the carpet weavers. The early 18th century saw the end of the Safavid Empire and the decline of the town. Craftsmanship fell into decay.
Sizes:
Large variations, up to 12 sq. and above.
Color:
Dark red and powerful blue predominate, with ivory as in contrasting color.
Patterns:
The typical Tabriz is a medallion carpet of baroque style appealing to the European taste in art. Patterns in endless repeats of rosettes and palmettos (Shah Abbas pattern) are also part of the local repertoire. Designs from all other area are also woven.
Foundation:
Warps are mostly cotton, wefts either cotton or wool.
Knots:
Turkish or Persian knots, up 2,500 knots per sq.dm.
Pile:
Wool, generally clipped short to medium high, occasionally silk. The wool is somewhat dull, as is most obtained in Azerbaijan.
Quality:
New products are generally good furnishing carpets but with some variation in quality. Old and antique traditional carpets, in most cases finely woven, are rare in the trade, and antique silk carpets rarer still.
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