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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 exquisite 16th-century Persian hunting carpet is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring intricate designs woven with yellow silk and silver threads. Measuring 480 x 255 cm, it boasts 187,200 Persian knots per square meter, showcasing exceptional detail. The carpet’s vibrant hunting scene and elegant motifs are comparable to a similar piece in Vienna.

Once owned by a Florentine noble and later acquired by Baron Adolphe de Rothschild, the carpet’s historical journey adds to its allure. It was famously featured in the 1926 publication Altorientalische Teppiche. Preserved in remarkable condition, this rare treasure continues to captivate art and textile enthusiasts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The Iran National Museum in Tehran houses a rare 16th-century prayer rug believed to have originated from Kashan. Measuring 195 x 108 cm, it features 675,000 Persian knots per square meter and is crafted with silk warp and weft, a wool pile, and brocaded silver thread.

Though attributed to Tabriz by the museum and scholar Arthur Upham Pope, the use of Persian knots suggests it may have been woven in central Iran, possibly Isfahan. The rug is adorned with Quranic verses and intricate silver threadwork. Despite its artistic and historical significance, it remains in poor condition, highlighting the need for preservation.

Rug weaving relies on looms that stretch warp threads for knotting and weaving, with two main types:

Horizontal Looms: Portable and used by nomadic groups like the Kashgais and Turkomans.

Vertical Looms: More complex, used by settled artisans, with three types:

• Village Loom: Simple design with adjustable warp threads.
• Tabriz Loom: Continuously loops warp threads for efficient weaving.
• Roller Beam Loom: Advanced, allowing rugs of any length with uniform tension.

Each loom type influences the size, detail, and craftsmanship of the final rug.