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The Silk Animal Carpet, woven in Isfahan in the late 17th century, is an exquisite masterpiece reflecting the pinnacle of Persian craftsmanship. Measuring 233 x 168 cm, this carpet features a vibrant design of animals inspired by Safavid-era miniatures, dynamically placed across a floral background. Its intricate border of intertwining flowers and birds adds to its elegance.

With a remarkable density of 600,000 knots per square meter, the carpet’s silk pile and unbleached cotton foundation highlight the weaver’s precision and artistry. Now housed in the Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran, two similar pieces reside in the prestigious Louvre Museum in Paris, cementing its status as an enduring symbol of Persian heritage and artistic brilliance.

This exquisite 16th-century Persian rug from Mashhad is a testament to the golden age of Persian carpet weaving. Commissioned by Shah Abbas the Great, it confirms Mashhad’s prominence as a weaving center during the Safavid era. Measuring 560 x 354 cm, the rug features an impressive density of 490,000 knots per square meter, with a wool pile and flat-woven silver thread, creating a stunning relief effect. Its intricate floral patterns and arabesques showcase Persian artistic brilliance. Remarkably well-preserved, this masterpiece remains a symbol of elegance, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage, housed in the Shrine of the Mosque at Mashhad.

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.

The vibrant hues of Persian carpets showcase the skill and artistry of Iranian artisans. Known for their mastery in blending and harmonizing colors, they create rich, warm, and sophisticated shades that endure through time. For centuries, the dyes used were sourced exclusively from nature, including plants and animals. In some traditional villages, this age-old practice continues, preserving the legacy of natural dyeing.

The traditional Iranian home, often minimalist in terms of furniture, underscores the central role of carpets in both daily life and artistic expression. Iranians showcase their deep appreciation for intricate design through ceramics, metalwork, and especially textiles. Among these, the rug stands as the most esteemed, functional, and comfortable element.