The Silk Medallion & Arabesque Carpet: at the Musée des Gobelins, Paris

The Silk Medallion & Arabesque Carpet: at the Musée des Gobelins, Paris

The Silk Medallion and Arabesque Carpet is a 16th-century Persian masterpiece from Kashan, currently housed in the Musée des Gobelins, Paris. Woven entirely from luxurious yellow silk, it boasts an exceptional knot density of 998,400 knots per square meter, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Safavid era. The design features a central medallion with intricate arabesques and floral motifs, surrounded by a rich red field adorned with stylized clouds and flowers. Its three-band border, with varying widths, highlights delicate arabesques interwoven into a floral seed pattern.

This rug is part of an elite group of 16th-century silk carpets, considered among the finest ever created. A similar piece resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reinforcing its historical and artistic significance. Persian silk carpets from Kashan were often crafted for royal courts, prized for their exquisite detail and luminous silk textures. Today, they remain highly sought-after as both artistic treasures and cultural heirlooms, embodying the grandeur of Persian textile heritage.

MEDALLION AND ARABESQUE CARPET

Medallion and Arabesque Carpet

This Persian medallion carpet, attributed to Tabriz in the 17th century, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Measuring 802 x 412 cm, it features a dense knotting of 620,000 knots per square meter, with a cotton warp, silk weft, and wool pile.

The central design showcases a circular medallion flanked by cartouches and arabesques, surrounded by slender, flower-adorned branches. Stylized red tulip-like flowers, "cloud-band" motifs (tchi), and vibrant peacocks add life and color to the field. The triple-bordered frame includes spiraling branches and stylized flowers, combining elegance and intricate detail.

A gift from the Kress Foundation, this carpet is a stunning example of Persian artistry, celebrated for its extraordinary beauty and technical mastery.